Oxide semiconductor film and semiconductor device

ABSTRACT

To provide a novel oxide semiconductor film. The oxide semiconductor film includes In, M, and Zn. The M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn. In the case where the proportion of In in the oxide semiconductor film is 4, the proportion of M is greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 and the proportion of Zn is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an object, a method, or a manufacturing method. In addition, the present invention relates to a process, a machine, manufacture, or a composition of matter. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an oxide semiconductor film or a manufacturing method of the oxide semiconductor film. In particular, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a semiconductor device, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, a power storage device, a memory device, a method for driving them, or a method for manufacturing them.

In this specification and the like, a semiconductor device generally means a device that can function by utilizing semiconductor characteristics. A semiconductor element such as a transistor, a semiconductor circuit, an arithmetic device, and a memory device are each an embodiment of a semiconductor device. An imaging device, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, an electro-optical device, a power generation device (including a thin film solar cell, an organic thin film solar cell, and the like), and an electronic device may each include a semiconductor device.

BACKGROUND ART

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that a homologous series represented by In_(1-x)Ga_(1+x)O₃(ZnO)_(m) (-1 ≤ x ≤, and m is a natural number) exists. Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a solid solution range of a homologous series. For example, in the case of a solid solution range of a homologous series when m is 1, x is within a range from -0.33 to 0.08, and in the case of a solid solution range of a homologous series when m is 2, x is within a range from -0.68 to 0.32.

Furthermore, a technique in which a transistor is fabricated using an In-Ga-Zn-based oxide semiconductor is disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Reference Patent Document

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2007-96055

Non-Patent Document

[Non-Patent Document 1] M. Nakamura, N. Kimizuka, and T. Mohri, “The Phase Relations in the In₂O₃-Ga₂ZnO₄-ZnO System at 1350° C.”, J. Solid State Chem., Vol. 93, 1991, pp. 298-315.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses an example of In_(x)Zn_(y)Ga_(z)O_(w), and when x, y, and z are set so that a composition in the neighborhood of ZnGa₂O₄ is obtained, i.e., x, y, and z are close to 0, 1, and 2, respectively, a spinel crystal structure is likely to be formed or mixed. A compound represented by AB₂O₄ (A and B are metal) is known as a compound having a spinel crystal structure.

However, when a spinel crystal structure is formed or mixed in an In-Ga-Zn-based oxide semiconductor film, electrical characteristics or reliability of a semiconductor device (e.g., a transistor) including the In-Ga-Zn-based oxide semiconductor film is adversely affected by the spinel crystal structure in some cases.

In view of the above problem, an object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide a novel oxide semiconductor film. Another object is to give favorable electrical characteristics to a semiconductor device. Another object is to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device. Another object is to provide a semiconductor device with a novel structure. Another object is to provide a display device having a novel structure.

Note that the descriptions of these objects do not disturb the existence of other objects. In one embodiment of the present invention, there is no need to achieve all the objects. Other objects will be apparent from and can be derived from the description of the specification, the drawings, the claims, and the like.

One embodiment of the present invention is an oxide semiconductor film including In, M (M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn), and Zn, having a composition in the neighborhood of a solid solution range of an In_(1+x)M_(1-x)O₃(ZnO)_(y) structure (x satisfies 0 < x < 0.5, and y is approximately 1).

In the above embodiment, x is preferably approximately 0.33.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the oxide semiconductor film have an atomic ratio in a neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 4:2:3 and in the case where the proportion of In is 4, the proportion of M be greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 and the proportion of Zn be greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the oxide semiconductor film be formed with a sputtering apparatus, the sputtering apparatus include a polycrystalline metal oxide target, the polycrystalline metal oxide target have a composition in the neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 4:2:4.1, and in the case where the proportion of In of the polycrystalline metal oxide target is 4, the proportion of M be greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 and the proportion of Zn be greater than or equal to 3.1 and less than or equal to 5.1.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the oxide semiconductor film include a crystal part and that the crystal part have c-axis alignment.

In the above embodiments, the oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region with a hydrogen concentration of lower than 1 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³. In the above embodiments, the oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region where In, M, Zn, and O atoms in total account for 99.97 atomic% or more. In the above embodiments, the oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region where Fe, Ni, and Si atoms in total account for lower than 0.03 atomic%.

Another embodiment of the present invention is an oxide semiconductor film including In, M (M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn), and Zn. The oxide semiconductor film includes a first oxide semiconductor film and a second oxide semiconductor film over the first oxide semiconductor film. The first oxide semiconductor film has a composition in the neighborhood of a solid solution range of the In_(1+x)M_(1-x)O₃(ZnO)_(y) structure (x satisfies 0 < x < 0.5, and y is approximately 1). The second oxide semiconductor film includes a region having a composition in the neighborhood of a solid solution range of the In_(1+v)M_(1-v)O₃(ZnO)_(w) structure (v satisfies -0.2 ≤ v < 0.2, and w is approximately 1) and having a smaller proportion of indium atoms than the first oxide semiconductor film.

In the above embodiment, x is preferably approximately 0.33 and v is preferably approximately 0.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the first oxide semiconductor film have an atomic ratio in the neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 4:2:3, the second oxide semiconductor film have an atomic ratio in the neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 1:1:1, and in the case where the proportion of In of the first oxide semiconductor film is 4, the proportion of M be greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 and the proportion of Zn be greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4.

In the above embodiments, it is preferable that the first oxide semiconductor film and the second oxide semiconductor film be formed with a sputtering apparatus, the sputtering apparatus include a first polycrystalline metal oxide target and a second polycrystalline metal oxide target, the first polycrystalline metal oxide target have a composition in the neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 4:2:4.1, the second polycrystalline metal oxide target have a composition in the neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 1:1:1.2, and in the case of the proportion of the In of the first polycrystalline metal oxide target is 4, the proportion of M be greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 and the proportion of Zn be greater than or equal to 3.1 and less than or equal to 5.1.

In the above embodiments, the first oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a crystal part, and the crystal part preferably has c-axis alignment.

In the above embodiments, the first oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region with a hydrogen concentration of lower than 1 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³. In the above embodiments, the first oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region where In, M, Zn, and O atoms in total account for 99.97 atomic% or more. In the above embodiments, the first oxide semiconductor film preferably includes a region where Fe, Ni, and Si atoms in total account for lower than 0.03 atomic%.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a semiconductor device including any one of the above-described oxide semiconductor films, a gate insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, a gate electrode in contact with the gate insulating film, a source electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film, and a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a display device including any one of the above oxide semiconductor films and a display element. Another embodiment of the present invention is a display module including the display device and a touch sensor. Another embodiment of the present invention is an electronic device including any one of the oxide semiconductor films, the semiconductor device, the display device, or the display module; and an operation key or a battery.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a novel oxide semiconductor film can be provided. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a semiconductor device can be provided with favorable electrical characteristics. A highly reliable semiconductor device can be provided. A semiconductor device with a novel structure can be provided. A display device with a novel structure can be provided.

Note that the description of these effects does not disturb the existence of other effects. One embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily achieve all the effects listed above. Other effects will be apparent from and can be derived from the description of the specification, the drawings, the claims, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an atomic ratio of an oxide semiconductor film.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are phase equilibrium diagrams.

FIG. 3 shows the relation between the atomic ratio of the target and a percentage of remaining Zn.

FIGS. 4A to 4D are Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM images of a cross section of a CAAC-OS and a cross-sectional schematic view of the CAAC-OS.

FIGS. 5A to 5D are Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM images of a plane of a CAAC-OS.

FIGS. 6A to 6C show structural analysis of a CAAC-OS and a single crystal oxide semiconductor by XRD.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show electron diffraction patterns of a CAAC-OS.

FIG. 8 shows a change in the crystal part of an In-Ga-Zn oxide induced by electron irradiation.

FIGS. 9A to 9C illustrate a deposition method of a CAAC-OS.

FIG. 10 illustrates a crystal of InMZnO₄.

FIGS. 11A to 11F illustrate a deposition method of a CAAC-OS.

FIGS. 12A to 12G illustrate positions to which particles can be attached in a pellet.

FIGS. 13A to 13G illustrate positions to which particles can be attached in a pellet.

FIGS. 14A to 14C are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 17A to 17C are a top view and cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 18A to 18D are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 19A and 19B each illustrate a band structure.

FIGS. 20A to 20D are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 21A to 21F are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 22A to 22F are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 23A to 23F are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 24A and 24B are model diagrams illustrating oxygen moving in an oxide semiconductor film.

FIGS. 25A to 25F are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 26A to 26F are cross-sectional views illustrating an example of a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device.

FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate a sputtering apparatus.

FIGS. 28A and 28B illustrate a sputtering apparatus.

FIG. 29A illustrates a sputtering apparatus and FIGS. 29B and 29C show potential distributions of the vicinity of a sputtering target.

FIG. 30 illustrates a sputtering apparatus.

FIG. 31 illustrates a sputtering apparatus.

FIGS. 32A and 32B illustrate a sputtering apparatus.

FIG. 33 is a top view which illustrates an example of a deposition apparatus.

FIGS. 34A to 34C are cross-sectional views which illustrate an example of a deposition apparatus.

FIGS. 35A to 35C are a block diagram and circuit diagrams illustrating a display device.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are perspective views illustrating an example of a touch panel.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of a display device.

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a touch sensor.

FIGS. 39A and 39B are each a cross-sectional view of an example of a touch panel.

FIGS. 40A and 40B are a block diagram and a timing chart of a touch sensor.

FIG. 41 is a circuit diagram of a touch sensor.

FIG. 42 illustrates a display module.

FIGS. 43A to 43G illustrate electronic devices.

FIGS. 44A and 44B are perspective views of a display device.

FIG. 45 illustrates a structure of a deposition apparatus.

FIG. 46 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIGS. 47A and 47B are cross-sectional TEM images of Samples of Example.

FIG. 48 is a graph showing measurement coordinate points of Samples of Example.

FIG. 49 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIG. 50 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIG. 51 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIG. 52 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIG. 53 is a graph showing XRD results of Samples of Example.

FIG. 54 is a graph showing SIMS results of Samples of Example.

FIGS. 55A and 55B show Id-Vg characteristics of transistors of Example.

FIG. 56 shows results of gate BT stress tests performed on transistors of Example.

FIGS. 57A to 57C show Id-Vg characteristics of transistors of Example.

FIGS. 58A and 58B are cross-sectional TEM images of a transistor of Example.

FIG. 59 shows Id-Vg characteristics of transistors of Example.

FIG. 60 shows results of gate BT stress tests performed on a transistor of Example.

FIGS. 61A and 61B show Id-Vd characteristics of transistors of Example.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to drawings. However, the embodiments can be implemented with various modes. It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modes and details can be changed in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the following description of the embodiments and the examples.

In the drawings, the size, the layer thickness, or the region is exaggerated for clarity in some cases. Therefore, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to such a scale. Note that the drawings are schematic views showing ideal examples, and embodiments of the present invention are not limited to shapes or values shown in the drawings.

Note that in this specification, ordinal numbers such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used in order to avoid confusion among components, and the terms do not limit the components numerically.

Note that in this specification, terms for describing arrangement, such as “over”, “above”, “under”, and “below”, are used for convenience in describing a positional relation between components with reference to drawings. Furthermore, the positional relation between components is changed as appropriate in accordance with a direction in which each component is described. Thus, there is no limitation on terms used in this specification, and description can be made appropriately depending on the situation.

In this specification and the like, a transistor is an element having at least three terminals of a gate, a drain, and a source. In addition, the transistor has a channel region between a drain (a drain terminal, a drain region, or a drain electrode) and a source (a source terminal, a source region, or a source electrode), and current can flow through the drain, the channel region, and the source. Note that in this specification and the like, a channel region refers to a region through which current mainly flows.

Furthermore, functions of a source and a drain might be switched when transistors having different polarities are employed or a direction of current flow is changed in circuit operation, for example. Therefore, the terms “source” and “drain” can be switched in this specification and the like.

Note that in this specification and the like, the expression “electrically connected” includes the case where components are connected through an “object having any electric function”. There is no particular limitation on an “object having any electric function” as long as electric signals can be transmitted and received between components that are connected through the object. Examples of an “object having any electric function” are a switching element such as a transistor, a resistor, an inductor, a capacitor, and elements with a variety of functions as well as an electrode and a wiring.

Note that in this specification and the like, a “silicon oxynitride film” refers to a film that includes oxygen at a higher proportion than nitrogen, and a “silicon nitride oxide film” refers to a film that includes nitrogen at a higher proportion than oxygen.

In the description of modes of the present invention in this specification and the like with reference to the drawings, the same components in different diagrams are commonly denoted by the same reference numeral in some cases.

In this specification and the like, the term “parallel” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to -10° and less than or equal to 10°, and accordingly also includes the case where the angle is greater than or equal to -5° and less than or equal to 5°. In addition, the term “substantially parallel” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to -30° and less than or equal to 30°. In addition, the term “perpendicular” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to 80° and less than or equal to 100°, and accordingly also includes the case where the angle is greater than or equal to 85° and less than or equal to 95°. A term “substantially perpendicular” indicates that the angle formed between two straight lines is greater than or equal to 60° and less than or equal to 120°.

In this specification and the like, the terms “film” and “layer” can be interchanged with each other depending on the case. For example, the term “conductive layer” can be changed into the term “conductive film” in some cases. Also, the term “insulating film” can be changed into the term “insulating layer” in some cases.

Note that a “semiconductor” includes characteristics of an “insulator” in some cases when the conductivity is sufficiently low, for example. Furthermore, a “semiconductor” and an “insulator” cannot be strictly distinguished from each other in some cases because a border between the “semiconductor” and the “insulator” is not clear. Accordingly, a “semiconductor” in this specification can be called an “insulator” in some cases. Similarly, an “insulator” in this specification can be called a “semiconductor” in some cases.

Embodiment 1

In this embodiment, an oxide semiconductor film which is one embodiment of the present invention is described.

The oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention includes indium (In), M (M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn), and zinc (Zn). Specifically, M is preferably gallium (Ga). In the following description, Ga is used as M.

An oxide semiconductor film containing In has high carrier mobility (electron mobility), for example. An oxide semiconductor film has high energy gap (Eg) by containing Ga, for example. Note that Ga is an element having high bonding energy with oxygen, which is higher than the bonding energy of In with oxygen. When containing Zn, the oxide semiconductor film is easily crystallized.

Here, the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 1 , FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 3 , FIGS. 4A to 4D, FIGS. 5A to 5D, FIGS. 6A to 6C, FIGS. 7A and 7B, FIG. 8 , FIGS. 9A to 9C, FIG. 10 , FIGS. 11A to 11F, FIGS. 12A to 12G, and FIGS. 13A to 13G.

1-1. Phase Equilibrium Diagram

FIG. 1 is an example of a phase equilibrium diagram showing the atomic ratios of the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a preferable range of the atomic ratio of In, M, and Zn included in the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention. Note that the proportion of oxygen atoms is not shown in FIG. 1 .

The oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is an oxide semiconductor film including In, M, and Zn. The composition of the oxide semiconductor film is in the neighborhood of a solid solution range of an In_(1+x)M_(1-x)O₃(ZnO)_(y) structure (x satisfies 0 < x < 0.5, and y is approximately 1). That is, the oxide semiconductor film is an oxide semiconductor film having a composition in the neighborhood of Area 11 in FIG. 1 .

Examples of a method for forming the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention include a sputtering method, a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method, a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method, a thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, and a vacuum evaporation method. As an example of a thermal CVD method, a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method can be given. In particular, the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably formed with a sputtering apparatus because a uniform film can be formed even over a large-sized glass substrate or the like.

Here, the atomic ratio of the elements in the phase equilibrium diagram is described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B. FIGS. 2A and 2B each show a regular triangle with vertices X, Y, and Z, and a coordinate point R (4:2:1) as an example. The vertices denote elements X, Y, and Z. As the distance to each vertex is reduced, the proportion of atoms of the corresponding element is increased, whereas as the distance is increased, the proportion of the atoms is reduced. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2A, the proportion of atoms of each element is represented by the length of a perpendicular line from the coordinate point to the subtense of the corresponding vertex of the triangle. For example, the proportion of atoms of the element X is represented by the length of a perpendicular line 21 from the coordinate point to the subtense of the vertex X, i.e., to a side YZ. Therefore, the coordinate point R in FIGS. 2A and 2B represents that the atomic ratio of the element X to the element Y and the element Z is the ratio of the length of the perpendicular line 21 to the length of a perpendicular line 22 and the length of a perpendicular line 23, that is, x:y:z = 4:2:1. Furthermore, an intersection point of the side YZ with a line passing through the vertex X and the coordinate point R is denoted by y. Assuming that the ratio of the length of a line Yy to the length of a line yZ is Yy:yZ, Yy:yZ corresponds to (the number of atoms of the element Z):(the number of atoms of the element Y).

As shown in FIG. 2B, three lines each of which passes through the coordinate point R and is parallel to any of the three sides of the triangle are drawn. By using intersection points of the three lines and the three sides, x, y, and z can be represented as shown in FIG. 2B.

Note that as disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1, it is known that there is a homologous series represented by InMO₃(ZnO)_(m) (m is a natural number) as one of oxides containing In, the element M, and Zn. It is known that regions denoted by thick lines in FIG. 1 allow a single-phase solid solution range when powders of In₂O₃, M₂O₃, and ZnO are mixed and sintered at 1350° C.

Specifically, in the phase equilibrium diagram in FIG. 1 , broken lines indicate a solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):1 structure (α satisfies -1 ≤ α <1), a solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):2 structure, a solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):3 structure, a solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):4 structure, and a solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):5 structure. On dashed-dotted lines, the atomic ratios of In to Mare 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 1:7, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1.

A coordinate point denoted by a square in FIG. 1 corresponds to Z_(n)M₂O₄ that is a known composition with which a spinel crystal structure is likely to be mixed. A coordinate point A denoted by a black circle in FIG. 1 indicates the composition In:M:Zn = 1.33:0.67:1 (around In:M:Zn = 4:2:3). A coordinate point B denoted by a triangle in FIG. 1 indicates the composition In:M:Zn = 1:1:1. A two-dotted line in FIG. 1 corresponds to a straight line connecting a coordinate point indicating In and the coordinate point indicating Z_(n)M₂O₄. In Area 12 in FIG. 1 , a spinel crystal structure is likely to be mixed.

In Non-Patent Document 1, the solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):1 structure, the solid solution range of the InM:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):2 structure, the solid solution range of the InM:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):3 structure, the solid solution range of the InM:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):4 structure, and the solid solution range of the InM:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):5 structure in FIG. 1 are those in the equilibrium states obtained under the case where powders of In₂O₃, M₂O₃, and ZnO are mixed and sintered at 1350° C.

Meanwhile, an oxide semiconductor film formed with a sputtering apparatus or the like may be in a quasi-equilibrium state in the case where high-temperature (e.g., higher than or equal to 1000° C. and lower than or equal to 1500° C.) heat treatment is not performed. In this case, the oxide semiconductor film can have a single phase even when the composition is slightly out of the range of the single-phase solid solution range disclosed in Non-Patent Document 1.

When a coordinate point in the solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):1 structure is close to Area 12 where the spinel phase is likely to be mixed, instead of a single-phase oxide semiconductor film (e.g., an oxide semiconductor film in the homologous series), an oxide semiconductor film including a spinel crystal structure is formed in some cases.

In the case where the atomic ratio is largely out of the solid solution range of the In:M:Zn = (1+α):(1-α):1 structure, i.e., stoichiometry of the single phase, a plurality of crystal structures (e.g., two phases or three phases) are mixed in the oxide semiconductor film in some cases. In the case where a plurality of crystal structures are mixed in an oxide semiconductor film, a grain boundary might be formed between different crystal structures, so that the electrical characteristics or reliability of the oxide semiconductor film might deteriorate. Moreover, in the case where a plurality of crystal structures are mixed in the oxide semiconductor film, variation in crystallinity of the oxide semiconductor film might be caused.

Accordingly, the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a crystal structure exhibiting a single phase, particularly, homologous series.

When the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention has a composition in the neighborhood of the solid solution range of the In_(1+x)M_(1-x)O₃(ZnO)_(y) structure (x satisfies 0 < x < 0.5, and y is approximately 1) and contains a higher proportion of In than M, its composition is far from Area 12 where a spinel phase is likely to be mixed and a single-phase crystal structure is obtained. In addition, the oxide semiconductor film containing In in a higher proportion can have high carrier mobility (electron mobility).

In particular, the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a composition in the neighborhood of the solid solution range of the In_(1+x)M_(1-x)O₃(ZnO)_(y) structure (x satisfies 0 < x < 0.5, and y is approximately 1), specifically a composition in the neighborhood of the coordinate point A denoted by the black circle in FIG. 1 (In:M:Zn = 1.33:0.67:1 (around In:M:Zn = 4:2:3)).

In this specification and the like, “neighborhood” means a range of ±1, preferably ±0.5 with respect to the proportion of atoms of the metal element M. For example, in the case where the oxide semiconductor film has a composition in the neighborhood of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3, the proportion of Ga may be greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 3 (1 ≤ Ga ≤ 3) and the proportion of Zn is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4 (2 ≤ Zn ≤ 4), preferably the proportion of Ga is greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5 (1.5 ≤ Ga ≤ 2.5) and the proportion of Zn is greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 4 (2 ≤ Zn ≤ 4). Moreover, in this specification and the like, “approximately” means a range of ±0.2 with respect to a value. For example, “approximately 1” means 0.8 or more and 1.2 or less.

In the case where the oxide semiconductor film is formed with a sputtering apparatus, a film having an atomic ratio deviated from the atomic ratio of the target is formed in some cases. Especially for Zn, depending on the substrate temperature during deposition, the proportion of Zn atoms in a deposited film is lower than that of Zn atoms in the target in some cases. Therefore, an oxide semiconductor film having an atomic ratio deviated from the atomic ratio of the target is also included in the category of the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention. The target used for the sputtering apparatus is preferably a polycrystalline metal oxide target.

Here, results of investigating the relation between the atomic ratio of a target including In, Ga, and Zn and the atomic ratio of an oxide semiconductor film obtained by a sputtering method using the target are described. Table 1 shows the atomic ratios of targets used for the investigation and the atomic ratios of oxide semiconductor films obtained by a sputtering method. Polycrystalline metal oxide targets are used as the targets

TABLE 1 Target atomic ratio In: Ga: Zn Film atomic ratio In Ga Zn 1:1:1 1 0.99 0.66 1:1:1.2 1 0.98 0.84 1:1:1.5 1 0.92 1.04 1:3:2 1 2.89 1.24 1:3:4 1 3.02 2.56 1:3:6 1 3.06 4.19 3:1:2 3 0.98 1.40 3:1:3 3 1.01 2.30

As for the deposition conditions, argon and oxygen were used as deposition gases and the flow rate percentage of oxygen was 33%. Here, the flow rate percentage of oxygen is expressed by (the flow rate of oxygen) = ((the flow rate of oxygen) + (the flow rate of argon)) × 100 [%]. In addition, the pressure was in the range of 0.4 Pa to 0.7 Pa, the substrate temperature was 200° C. to 300° C., and the power supply (DC) was 0.5 kW. A parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus was used as the deposition apparatus.

The film atomic ratios in Table 1 were evaluated by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In the atomic ratio of the film in Table 1, In is normalized as 1 or 3 and Ga and Zn are calculated.

From the results in Table 1, the values of In and Ga in the atomic ratio of the film are not largely different from those in the target atomic ratio. In contrast, the value of Zn in the atomic ratio of the film is largely different from that in the atomic ratio of the target.

The relation between the atomic ratio of the target and the percentage of remaining Zn in the film was determined. FIG. 3 shows the relation between the atomic ratio of the target and the percentage of remaining Zn. Numbers in FIG. 3 each represent the atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn of the target in Table 1. In FIG. 3 , Zn(Film) on the vertical axis indicates a value obtained by dividing the proportion of atoms of Zn of a film obtained by deposition by the sum of the proportions of atoms of In, Ga, and Zn, and Zn(Target) on the vertical axis indicates a value obtained by dividing the proportion of atoms of Zn of a target by the sum of the proportions of atoms of In, Ga, and Zn of the target. Furthermore, Zn(Film)/Zn(Target) × 100 on the vertical axis in FIG. 3 indicates the percentage of remaining Zn in the oxide semiconductor film. Moreover, Zn(Film)/Ga(Film) on the horizontal axis in FIG. 3 indicates a value obtained by dividing the proportion of atoms of Zn of the film obtained by deposition by the proportion of atoms of Ga of the film obtained by the deposition.

The results in FIG. 3 show a favorable correlation between the atomic ratio of Zn to Ga in the film (Zn(Film)/Ga(Film)) and the percentage of remaining Zn (Zn(Film)/Zn(Target)×100). That is, as the proportion of Zn gets lower than that of Ga, the percentage of remaining Zn is decreased.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the percentage of remaining Zn of the oxide semiconductor film obtained by a sputtering method ranges from greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 90% with respect to the atomic ratio of the target. That is, the proportion of Zn of the deposited oxide semiconductor film is significantly reduced compared with that in the atomic ratio of the target in some cases.

For example, in the case where the desired composition of the oxide semiconductor film is In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3, the composition of the target needs to be the composition at Zn(Film)/Ga(Film) of 1.5 on the horizontal axis in FIG. 3 . Since the percentage of remaining Zn at Zn(Film)/Ga(Film) of 1.5 is about 74%, the composition of the target is preferably in the neighborhood of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1.

Note that the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably CAAC-OS described later. Furthermore, it is preferable that the CAAC-OS have no spinel crystal structure in particular. The spinel crystal structure in the oxide semiconductor film can be evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, for example.

1-2. Structure of Oxide Semiconductor

Next, a structure of an oxide semiconductor included in the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is described.

An oxide semiconductor is classified into a single crystal oxide semiconductor and a non-single-crystal oxide semiconductor. Examples of a non-single-crystal oxide semiconductor include a c-axis aligned crystalline oxide semiconductor (CAAC-OS), a polycrystalline oxide semiconductor, a nanocrystalline oxide semiconductor (nc-OS), an amorphous-like oxide semiconductor (a-like OS), and an amorphous oxide semiconductor.

From another perspective, an oxide semiconductor is classified into an amorphous oxide semiconductor and a crystalline oxide semiconductor. Examples of a crystalline oxide semiconductor include a single crystal oxide semiconductor, a CAAC-OS, a polycrystalline oxide semiconductor, and an nc-OS.

It is known that an amorphous structure is generally defined as being metastable and unfixed, and being isotropic and having no non-uniform structure. In other words, an amorphous structure has a flexible bond angle and a short-range order but does not have a long-range order.

This means that an inherently stable oxide semiconductor cannot be regarded as a completely amorphous oxide semiconductor. Moreover, an oxide semiconductor that is not isotropic (e.g., an oxide semiconductor that has a periodic structure in a microscopic region) cannot be regarded as a completely amorphous oxide semiconductor. Note that an a-like OS has a periodic structure in a microscopic region, but at the same time has a void and has an unstable structure. For this reason, an a-like OS has physical properties similar to those of an amorphous oxide semiconductor.

CAAC-OS

First, a CAAC-OS will be described.

A CAAC-OS is one of oxide semiconductors having a plurality of c-axis aligned crystal parts (also referred to as pellets).

In a combined analysis image (also referred to as a high-resolution TEM image) of a bright-field image and a diffraction pattern of a CAAC-OS, which is obtained using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), a plurality of pellets can be observed. However, in the high-resolution TEM image, a boundary between pellets, that is, a grain boundary is not clearly observed. Thus, in the CAAC-OS, a reduction in electron mobility due to the grain boundary is less likely to occur.

A CAAC-OS observed with TEM is described below. FIG. 4A shows a high-resolution TEM image of a cross section of the CAAC-OS which is observed from a direction substantially parallel to the sample surface. The high-resolution TEM image is obtained with a spherical aberration corrector function. The high-resolution TEM image obtained with a spherical aberration corrector function is particularly referred to as a Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM image. The Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM image can be obtained with, for example, an atomic resolution analytical electron microscope JEM-ARM200F manufactured by JEOL Ltd.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM image of a region (1) in FIG. 4A. FIG. 4B shows that metal atoms are arranged in a layered manner in a pellet. Each metal atom layer has a configuration reflecting unevenness of a surface over which the CAAC-OS is formed (hereinafter, the surface is referred to as a formation surface) or the top surface of the CAAC-OS, and is arranged parallel to the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the CAAC-OS has a characteristic atomic arrangement. The characteristic atomic arrangement is denoted by an auxiliary line in FIG. 4C. FIGS. 4B and 4C prove that the size of a pellet is approximately 1 nm to 3 nm, and the size of a space caused by tilt of the pellets is approximately 0.8 nm. Therefore, the pellet can also be referred to as a nanocrystal (nc). Furthermore, the CAAC-OS can also be referred to as an oxide semiconductor including c-axis aligned nanocrystals (CANC).

Here, according to the Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM images, the schematic arrangement of pellets 5100 of a CAAC-OS over a substrate 5120 is illustrated by such a structure in which bricks or blocks are stacked (see FIG. 4D). The part in which the pellets are tilted as observed in FIG. 4C corresponds to a region 5161 shown in FIG. 4D.

FIG. 5A shows a Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM image of a plane of the CAAC-OS observed from a direction substantially perpendicular to the sample surface. FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D are enlarged Cs-corrected high-resolution TEM images of regions (1), (2), and (3) in FIG. 5A, respectively. FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D indicate that metal atoms are arranged in a triangular, quadrangular, or hexagonal configuration in a pellet. However, there is no regularity of arrangement of metal atoms between different pellets.

Next, a CAAC-OS analyzed by XRD is described. For example, when the structure of a CAAC-OS including an InGaZnO₄ crystal is analyzed by an out-of-plane method, a peak appears at a diffraction angle (2θ) of around 31° as shown in FIG. 6A. This peak is assigned to the (009) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal, which indicates that crystals in the CAAC-OS have c-axis alignment, and that the c-axes are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS.

Note that in structural analysis of the CAAC-OS by an out-of-plane method, another peak may appear when 2θ is around 36°, in addition to the peak at 2θ of around 31°. The peak at 2θ of around 36° indicates that a crystal having no c-axis alignment is included in part of the CAAC-OS. It is preferable that in the CAAC-OS analyzed by an out-of-plane method, a peak appear when 2θ is around 31° and that a peak not appear when 2θ is around 36°.

On the other hand, in structural analysis of the CAAC-OS by an in-plane method in which an X-ray beam is incident on a sample in a direction substantially perpendicular to the c-axis, a peak appears when 2θ is around 56°. This peak is attributed to the (110) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal. In the case of the CAAC-OS, when analysis (ϕ scan) is performed with 2θ fixed at around 56° and with the sample rotated using a normal vector of the sample surface as an axis (ϕ axis), as shown in FIG. 6B, a peak is not clearly observed. In contrast, in the case of a single crystal oxide semiconductor of InGaZnO₄, when ϕ scan is performed with 2θ fixed at around 56°, as shown in FIG. 6C, six peaks which are assigned to crystal planes equivalent to the (110) plane are observed. Accordingly, the structural analysis using XRD shows that the directions of the a-axes and b-axes are irregularly oriented in the CAAC-OS.

Next, a CAAC-OS analyzed by electron diffraction is described. For example, when an electron beam with a probe diameter of 300 nm is incident on a CAAC-OS including an InGaZnO₄ crystal in a direction parallel to the sample surface, a diffraction pattern (also referred to as a selected-area transmission electron diffraction pattern) shown in FIG. 7A can be obtained. In this diffraction pattern, spots assigned to the (009) plane of an InGaZnO₄ crystal are included. Thus, the electron diffraction also indicates that pellets included in the CAAC-OS have c-axis alignment and that the c-axes are aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation surface or the top surface of the CAAC-OS. Meanwhile, FIG. 7B shows a diffraction pattern obtained in such a manner that an electron beam with a probe diameter of 300 nm is incident on the same sample in a direction perpendicular to the sample surface. As shown in FIG. 7B, a ring-like diffraction pattern is observed. Thus, the electron diffraction also indicates that the a-axes and b-axes of the pellets included in the CAAC-OS do not have regular alignment. The first ring in FIG. 7B is considered to be assigned to the (010) plane, the (100) plane, and the like of the InGaZnO₄ crystal. The second ring in FIG. 7B is considered to be assigned to the (110) plane and the like.

As described above, the CAAC-OS is an oxide semiconductor with high crystallinity. Entry of impurities, formation of defects, or the like might decrease the crystallinity of an oxide semiconductor. This means that the CAAC-OS has small amounts of impurities and defects (e.g., oxygen vacancies).

Note that the impurity means an element other than the main components of the oxide semiconductor, such as hydrogen, carbon, silicon, or a transition metal element. For example, an element (specifically, silicon or the like) having higher strength of bonding to oxygen than a metal element included in an oxide semiconductor extracts oxygen from the oxide semiconductor, which results in disorder of the atomic arrangement and reduced crystallinity of the oxide semiconductor. A heavy metal such as iron or nickel, argon, carbon dioxide, or the like has a large atomic radius (or molecular radius), and thus disturbs the atomic arrangement of the oxide semiconductor and decreases crystallinity.

The characteristics of an oxide semiconductor having impurities or defects might be changed by light, heat, or the like. Impurities contained in the oxide semiconductor might serve as carrier traps or carrier generation sources, for example. Furthermore, oxygen vacancies in the oxide semiconductor serve as carrier traps or serve as carrier generation sources when hydrogen is captured therein.

The CAAC-OS having small amounts of impurities and oxygen vacancies is an oxide semiconductor with low carrier density (specifically, lower than 8 × 10¹¹ /cm³, preferably lower than 1 × 10¹¹ /cm³, further preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁰ /cm³, and is higher than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁹ /cm³). Such an oxide semiconductor is referred to as a highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor. A CAAC-OS has a low impurity concentration and a low density of defect states. Thus, the CAAC-OS can be referred to as an oxide semiconductor having stable characteristics.

nc-OS

Next, an nc-OS will be described.

An nc-OS has a region in which a crystal part is observed and a region in which a crystal part is not clearly observed in a high-resolution TEM image. In most cases, the size of a crystal part included in the nc-OS is greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 10 nm, or greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 3 nm. Note that an oxide semiconductor including a crystal part whose size is greater than 10 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm is sometimes referred to as a microcrystalline oxide semiconductor. In a high-resolution TEM image of the nc-OS, for example, a grain boundary is not clearly observed in some cases. Note that there is a possibility that the origin of the nanocrystal is the same as that of a pellet in a CAAC-OS. Therefore, a crystal part of the nc-OS may be referred to as a pellet in the following description.

In the nc-OS, a microscopic region (for example, a region with a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 10 nm, in particular, a region with a size greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 3 nm) has a periodic atomic arrangement. There is no regularity of crystal orientation between different pellets in the nc-OS. Thus, the orientation of the whole film is not ordered. Accordingly, the nc-OS cannot be distinguished from an a-like OS or an amorphous oxide semiconductor, depending on an analysis method. For example, when the nc-OS is analyzed by an out-of-plane method using an X-ray beam having a diameter larger than the size of a pellet, a peak indicating a crystal plane does not appear. Furthermore, a diffraction pattern like a halo pattern is observed when the nc-OS is subjected to electron diffraction using an electron beam with a probe diameter (e.g., 50 nm or larger) that is larger than the size of a pellet. Meanwhile, spots appear in a nanobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS when an electron beam having a probe diameter close to or smaller than the size of a pellet is applied. Moreover, in a nanobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS, regions with high luminance in a circular (ring) pattern are shown in some cases. Also in a nanobeam electron diffraction pattern of the nc-OS, a plurality of spots are shown in a ring-like region in some cases.

Since there is no regularity of crystal orientation between the pellets (nanocrystals) as mentioned above, the nc-OS can also be referred to as an oxide semiconductor including random aligned nanocrystals (RANC) or an oxide semiconductor including non-aligned nanocrystals (NANC).

The nc-OS is an oxide semiconductor that has high regularity as compared with an amorphous oxide semiconductor. Therefore, the nc-OS is likely to have a lower density of defect states than an a-like OS and an amorphous oxide semiconductor. Note that there is no regularity of crystal orientation between different pellets in the nc-OS. Therefore, the nc-OS has a higher density of defect states than the CAAC-OS.

A-Like OS

An a-like OS has a structure between those of the nc-OS and the amorphous oxide semiconductor.

In a high-resolution TEM image of the a-like OS, a void may be observed. Furthermore, in the high-resolution TEM image, there are a region where a crystal part is clearly observed and a region where a crystal part is not observed.

The a-like OS has an unstable structure because it includes a void. To verify that an a-like OS has an unstable structure as compared with a CAAC-OS and an nc-OS, a change in structure caused by electron irradiation is described below.

An a-like OS (referred to as Sample A), an nc-OS (referred to as Sample B), and a CAAC-OS (referred to as Sample C) are prepared as samples subjected to electron irradiation. Each of the samples is an In—Ga—Zn oxide.

First, a high-resolution cross-sectional TEM image of each sample is obtained. The high-resolution cross-sectional TEM images show that all the samples have crystal parts.

Note that which part is regarded as a crystal part is determined as follows. It is known that a unit cell of an InGaZnO₄ crystal has a structure in which nine layers including three In—O layers and six Ga—Zn—O layers are stacked in the c-axis direction. The distance between the adjacent layers is equivalent to the lattice spacing on the (009) plane (also referred to as d value). The value is calculated to be 0.29 nm from crystal structural analysis. Accordingly, a portion where the lattice spacing between lattice fringes is greater than or equal to 0.28 nm and less than or equal to 0.30 nm is regarded as a crystal part of InGaZnO₄. Each of lattice fringes corresponds to the a-b plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal.

FIG. 8 shows change in the average size of crystal parts (at 22 points to 45 points) in each sample. Note that the crystal part size corresponds to the length of a lattice fringe. FIG. 8 indicates that the crystal part size in the a-like OS increases with an increase in the cumulative electron dose. Specifically, as shown by (1) in FIG. 8 , a crystal part of approximately 1.2 nm (also referred to as an initial nucleus) at the start of TEM observation grows to a size of approximately 2.6 nm at a cumulative electron dose of 4.2 × 10⁸ e⁻/nm². In contrast, the crystal part size in the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS shows little change from the start of electron irradiation to a cumulative electron dose of 4.2 × 10⁸ e⁻/nm². Specifically, as shown by (2) and (3) in FIG. 8 , the average crystal sizes in an nc-OS and a CAAC-OS are approximately 1.4 nm and approximately 2.1 nm, respectively, regardless of the cumulative electron dose.

In this manner, growth of the crystal part in the a-like OS is induced by electron irradiation. In contrast, in the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS, growth of the crystal part is hardly induced by electron irradiation. Therefore, the a-like OS has an unstable structure as compared with the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS.

The a-like OS has a lower density than the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS because it includes a void. Specifically, the density of the a-like OS is higher than or equal to 78.6% and lower than 92.3% of the density of the single crystal oxide semiconductor having the same composition. The density of each of the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS is higher than or equal to 92.3% and lower than 100% of the density of the single crystal oxide semiconductor having the same composition. Note that it is difficult to deposit an oxide semiconductor having a density of lower than 78% of the density of the single crystal oxide semiconductor.

For example, in the case of an oxide semiconductor having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, the density of single crystal InGaZnO₄ with a rhombohedral crystal structure is 6.357 g/cm³. Accordingly, in the case of the oxide semiconductor having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, the density of the a-like OS is higher than or equal to 5.0 g/cm³ and lower than 5.9 g/cm³. For example, in the case of the oxide semiconductor having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, the density of each of the nc-OS and the CAAC-OS is higher than or equal to 5.9 g/cm³ and lower than 6.3 g/cm³.

Note that there is a possibility that an oxide semiconductor having a certain composition cannot exist in a single crystal structure. In that case, single crystal oxide semiconductors with different compositions are combined at an adequate ratio, which makes it possible to calculate density equivalent to that of a single crystal oxide semiconductor with the desired composition. The density of a single crystal oxide semiconductor having the desired composition can be calculated using a weighted average according to the combination ratio of the single crystal oxide semiconductors with different compositions. Note that it is preferable to use as few kinds of single crystal oxide semiconductors as possible to calculate the density.

As described above, oxide semiconductors have various structures and various properties. Note that an oxide semiconductor may be a stacked layer including two or more of an amorphous oxide semiconductor, an a-like OS, an nc-OS, and a CAAC-OS, for example.

1-3. Formation Method of CAAC-OS Film

An example of a method for forming a CAAC-OS film will be described below.

FIG. 9A is a schematic view of the inside of a deposition chamber. The CAAC-OS film can be formed by a sputtering method.

As shown in FIG. 9A, a substrate 5220 and a target 5230 are arranged to face each other. Plasma 5240 is generated between the substrate 5220 and the target 5230. A heating mechanism 5260 is under the substrate 5220. The target 5230 is attached to a backing plate (not illustrated in the drawing). A plurality of magnets are arranged to face the target 5230 with the backing plate positioned therebetween. A sputtering method in which the deposition speed is increased by utilizing a magnetic field of magnets is referred to as a magnetron sputtering method.

The distance d between the substrate 5220 and the target 5230 (also referred to as a target-substrate distance (T-S distance)) is greater than or equal to 0.01 m and less than or equal to 1 m, preferably greater than or equal to 0.02 m and less than or equal to 0.5 m. The deposition chamber is mostly filled with a deposition gas (e.g., an oxygen gas, an argon gas, or a mixed gas containing oxygen at 5 volume% or higher) and the pressure in the deposition chamber is controlled to be higher than or equal to 0.01 Pa and lower than or equal to 100 Pa, preferably higher than or equal to 0.1 Pa and lower than or equal to 10 Pa. Here, discharge starts by application of a voltage at a certain value or higher to the target 5230, and the plasma 5240 can be observed. The magnetic field forms a high-density plasma region in the vicinity of the target 5230. In the high-density plasma region, the deposition gas is ionized, so that an ion 5201 is generated. Examples of the ion 5201 include an oxygen cation (O⁺) and an argon cation (Ar⁺).

Here, the target 5230 has a polycrystalline structure which includes a plurality of crystal grains and in which a cleavage plane exists in any of the crystal grains. FIG. 10 shows a crystal structure of InMZnO₄ (the element M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn, for example) included in the target 5230 as an example. Note that FIG. 10 illustrates the crystal structure of InMZnO₄ observed from a direction parallel to the b-axis. In the crystal of InMZnO₄, oxygen atoms are negatively charged, whereby repulsive force is generated between the two adjacent M—Zn—O layers. Thus, the InMZnO₄ crystal has a cleavage plane between the two adjacent M—Zn—O layers.

The ion 5201 generated in the high-density plasma region is accelerated toward the target 5230 side by an electric field, and then collides with the target 5230. At this time, a pellet 5200 which is a flat-plate-like or pellet-like sputtered particles is separated from the cleavage plane (FIG. 9A). The pellet 5200 is between the two cleavage planes shown in FIG. 10 . Thus, when the pellet 5200 is observed, the cross-section thereof is as shown in FIG. 9B, and the top surface thereof is as shown in FIG. 9C. Note that the structure of the pellet 5200 may be distorted by an impact of collision of the ion 5201. Note that along with the separation of the pellet 5200, a particle 5203 is also sputtered from the target 5230. The particle 5203 has an atom or an aggregate of several atoms. Therefore, the particle 5203 can be referred to as an atomic particle.

The pellet 5200 is a flat-plate-like (pellet-like) sputtered particle having a triangle plane, e.g., regular triangle plane. Alternatively, the pellet 5200 is a flat-plate-like (pellet-like) sputtered particle having a hexagon plane, e.g., regular hexagon plane. However, the shape of a flat plane of the pellet 5200 is not limited to a triangle or a hexagon. For example, the flat plane may have a shape formed by combining two or more triangles. For example, a quadrangle (e.g., rhombus) may be formed by combining two triangles (e.g., regular triangles).

The thickness of the pellet 5200 is determined depending on the kind of the deposition gas and the like. For example, the thickness of the pellet 5200 is greater than or equal to 0.4 nm and less than or equal to 1 nm, preferably greater than or equal to 0.6 nm and less than or equal to 0.8 nm. In addition, for example, the width of the pellet 5200 is greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm, preferably greater than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm, further preferably greater than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 30 nm. For example, the ion 5201 collides with the target 5230 including the In—M—Zn oxide. Then, the pellet 5200 including three layers of an M—Zn—O layer, an In—O layer, and an M—Zn—O layer is separated.

The pellet 5200 may receive a charge when passing through the plasma 5240, so that surfaces thereof are negatively or positively charged. For example, the pellet 5200 receives a negative charge from O²⁻ in the plasma 5240. As a result, oxygen atoms on the surfaces of the pellet 5200 may be negatively charged. In addition, when passing through the plasma 5240, the pellet 5200 is sometimes combined with indium, the element M, zinc, oxygen, or the like in the plasma 5240 to grow up.

The pellet 5200 and the particles 5203 that have passed through the plasma 5240 reach a surface of the substrate 5220. Note that some of the particles 5203 are discharged to the outside by a vacuum pump or the like because of their smallness in mass.

Next, deposition of the pellet 5200 and the particle 5203 over the surface of the substrate 5220 is described with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11F.

First, a first pellet 5200 is deposited over the substrate 5220. Since the pellet 5200 has a flat-plate-like shape, it is deposited so that the flat plane faces the surface of the substrate 5220. At this time, a charge on a surface of the pellet 5200 on the substrate 5220 side is lost through the substrate 5220.

Next, a second pellet 5200 reaches the substrate 5220. Since a surface of the first pellet 5200 and a surface of the second pellet 5200 are charged, they repel each other. As a result, the second pellet 5200 avoids being deposited over the first pellet 5200, and is deposited with its flat plane facing the surface of the substrate 5220 so as to be a little distance away from the first pellet 5200. With repetition of this, millions of the pellets 5200 are deposited on the surface of the substrate 5220 to have a thickness of one layer. A region where no pellet 5200 is deposited is generated between adjacent pellets 5200 (see FIG. 11A).

Then, the particles 5203 that have received energy from plasma reach the surface of the substrate 5220. The particles 5203 cannot be deposited on an active region such as the surfaces of the pellets 5200. For this reason, the particles 5203 move to regions where no pellet 5200 is deposited and are attached to side surfaces of the pellets 5200. Since available bonds of the particles 5203 are activated by energy received from plasma, the particles 5203 are chemically bonded to the pellets 5200 to form lateral growth portions 5202 (see FIG. 11B).

The lateral growth portions 5202 then further grow laterally so that the pellets 5200 are anchored to each other (see FIG. 11C). In this manner, the lateral growth portions 5202 are formed until they fill regions where no pellet 5200 is deposited. This mechanism is similar to a deposition mechanism for an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method.

Even when the deposited pellets 5200 are oriented in different directions, the particles 5203 cause a lateral growth to fill gaps between the pellets 5200; thus, no clear grain boundary is formed. In addition, as the particles 5203 make a smooth connection between the pellets 5200, a crystal structure different from single crystal and polycrystal structures is formed. In other words, a crystal structure including distortion between minute crystal regions (pellets 5200) is formed. Regions filling the gaps between the crystal regions are distorted crystal regions, and thus, it will be not appropriate to say that the regions have an amorphous structure.

Next, new pellets 5200 are deposited with their flat planes facing the surface of the substrate 5220 (see FIG. 11D). After that, the particles 5203 are deposited so as to fill regions where no pellet 5200 is deposited, thereby forming the lateral growth portions 5202 (see FIG. 11E). In such a manner, the particles 5203 are attached to side surfaces of the pellets 5200 and the lateral growth portions 5202 cause a lateral growth so that the pellets 5200 in the second layer are anchored to each other (see FIG. 11F). Deposition continues until the m-th layer (m is an integer of two or more) is formed; as a result, a stacked-layer thin film structure is formed.

A deposition way of the pellets 5200 changes according to the surface temperature of the substrate 5220 or the like. For example, if the surface temperature of the substrate 5220 is high, migration of the pellets 5200 occurs over the surface of the substrate 5220. As a result, a proportion of the pellets 5200 that are directly connected with each other without the particles 5203 increases, whereby a CAAC-OS with high orientation is made. The surface temperature of the substrate 5220 for formation of the CAAC-OS is higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 340° C., preferably higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 300° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 250° C., still further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C. Therefore, even when a large-sized substrate of the 8th generation or more is used as the substrate 5220, a warp or the like due to the deposition of the CAAC-OS hardly occurs.

In contrast, if the surface temperature of the substrate 5220 is low, the migration of the pellets 5200 over the substrate 5220 does not easily occur. As a result, the pellets 5200 are stacked to form an nc-OS or the like with low orientation. In the nc-OS, the pellets 5200 are possibly deposited with certain gaps because the pellets 5200 are negatively charged. Therefore, the nc-OS has low orientation but some regularity, and thus it has a denser structure than an amorphous oxide semiconductor.

When spaces between pellets are extremely small in a CAAC-OS, the pellets may form a large pellet. The inside of the large pellet has a single crystal structure. For example, the size of the pellet may be greater than or equal to 10 nm and less than or equal to 200 nm, greater than or equal to 15 nm and less than or equal to 100 nm, or greater than or equal to 20 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm, when seen from the above.

The pellets are considered to be deposited on the surface of the substrate according to such a deposition model. A CAAC-OS can be deposited even when a formation surface does not have a crystal structure. This indicates that the above-described deposition model, which is a growth mechanism different from an epitaxial growth, has high validity. In addition, with the above-described deposition model, a uniform film of a CAAC-OS or an nc-OS can be formed even over a large-sized glass substrate or the like. Even when the surface of the substrate (formation surface) has an amorphous structure (e.g., amorphous silicon oxide), for example, a CAAC-OS can be formed.

In addition, even when the surface of the substrate (formation surface) has an uneven shape, the pellets are aligned along the shape.

The above-described deposition model suggests that a CAAC-OS with high crystallinity can be formed in the following manner: deposition is performed in a high vacuum to have a long mean free path, plasma energy is weakened to reduce damage around a substrate, and thermal energy is applied to a formation surface to repair damage due to plasma during deposition.

The above-described deposition model can be used not only for the case where a target has a polycrystalline structure of a composite oxide with a plurality of crystal grains, such as an In—M—Zn oxide, and any of the crystal grains have a cleavage plane; but also for the case where, for example, a target of a mixture containing indium oxide, an oxide of the element M, and zinc oxide is used.

Since there is no cleavage plane in a target of a mixture, atomic particles are separated from the target by sputtering. During deposition, a high electric field region of plasma is formed around a target. Because of the high electric field region of plasma, atomic particles separated from the target are anchored to each other to cause a lateral growth. For example, indium atoms, which are atomic particles, are anchored to each other and cause a lateral growth to be a nanocrystal formed of an In—O layer, and then an M—Zn—O layer is bonded above and below the nanocrystalline In—O layer so as to complement the nanocrystalline In—O layer. In this manner, a pellet can be formed even when a target of a mixture is used. Accordingly, the above-described deposition model can also be applied to the case of using a target of a mixture.

Note that in the case where a high electric field region of plasma is not formed around a target, only atomic particles separated from the targets are deposited on a substrate surface. In that case, a lateral growth of an atomic particle might occur on the substrate surface. However, since the orientations of atomic particles are not the same, the crystal orientation in the resulting thin film is not uniform. As a result, an nc-OS or the like is obtained.

1-4. Lateral Growth

The following description explains that a lateral growth occurs when the particles 5203 are attached to (bonded to or adsorbed on) the pellet 5200 laterally.

FIGS. 12A to 12E illustrate a structure of the pellet 5200 and positions to which metal ions can be attached. A model assumed as the pellet 5200 is a cluster model with 84 atoms extracted from an InMZnO₄ crystal structure with a constant stoichiometric composition. The case where the element M is Ga is described below. FIG. 12F illustrates a structure of the pellet 5200 seen in the direction parallel to the c-axis. FIG. 12G illustrates a structure of the pellet 5200 seen in the direction parallel to the a-axis.

The positions to which metal ions can be attached are represented as a position A, a position B, a position a, a position b, and a position c. The position A is an upper part of an interstitial site surrounded by one gallium atom and two zinc atoms on the top surface of the pellet 5200. The position B is an upper part of an interstitial site surrounded by two gallium atoms and one zinc atom on the top surface of the pellet 5200. The position a is in an indium site on a side surface of the pellet 5200. The position b is in an interstitial site between an In—O layer and a Ga—Zn—O layer on a side surface of the pellet 5200. The position c is in a gallium site on a side surface of the pellet 5200.

The relative energy was estimated from first principles calculation in each case where a metal ion was located in the assumed position (the position A, the position B, the position a, the position b, or the position c). In the calculation, first principles calculation software VASP (Vienna Ab initio Simulation Package) was used. For the exchange-correlation potential, Perdew-Burke-Emzerhof (PBE) type generalized gradient approximation (GGA) was used, and for the ion potential, a projector augmented wave (PAW) method was used. The cut-off energy was 400 eV, and Γ-only k-point sampling was used. Table 2 shows the relative energies in the case where an indium ion (In³⁺), a gallium ion (Ga³⁺), and a zinc ion (Zn²⁺) are located at the position A, the position B, the position a, the position b, and the position c. Note that the relative energy is a relative value under the condition where the energy of the model with the lowest energy among the calculated models is set to 0 eV.

TABLE 2 Relative Energy [eV] Top surface of pellet Side surface of pellet Ion A B a b c In³⁺ 2.1 1.5 0.0 1.8 1.9 Ga³⁺ 3.7 3.0 0.6 0.0 3.5 Zn²⁺ 2.3 1.8 0.0 0.6 2.9

It is found that any metal ion is more likely to be attached to the side surface of the pellet 5200 than to the top surface thereof. It is also found that a zinc ion as well as an indium ion is most likely to be attached to the indium site at the position a.

Ease of an oxygen ion (O²⁻) attached to the pellet 5200 was examined. FIGS. 13A to 13E illustrate a structure of the pellet 5200 and positions to which oxygen ions can be attached. FIG. 13F illustrates a structure of the pellet 5200 seen in the direction parallel to the c-axis. FIG. 13G illustrates a structure of the pellet 5200 seen in the direction parallel to the b-axis.

The positions to which oxygen ions can be attached are represented as a position C, a position D, a position d, a position e, and a position f. In the position C, an oxygen ion is bonded to gallium on the top surface of the pellet 5200. In the position D, an oxygen ion is bonded to zinc on the top surface of the pellet 5200. In the position d, an oxygen ion is bonded to indium on a side surface of the pellet 5200. In the position e, an oxygen ion is bonded to gallium on a side surface of the pellet 5200. In the position f, an oxygen ion is bonded to zinc on a side surface of the pellet 5200.

The relative energy was estimated from first principles calculation in each case where an oxygen ion was located in the assumed position (the position C, the position D, the position d, the position e, or the position f). Table 3 shows the relative energies in the case where oxygen ions (O²⁻) are located at the position C, the position D, the position d, the position e, and the position f.

TABLE 3 Relative Energy [eV] Top surface of pellet Side surface of pellet Ion C D d e f O²⁻ 3.9 3.6 0.0 0.5 1.5

It is found that the oxygen ion is also likely to be attached to the side surface of the pellet 5200 than to the top surface thereof.

According to the above, the particle 5203 that has approached the pellet 5200 is preferentially attached to the side surface of the pellet 5200. This suggests that the deposition model in which a lateral growth of the pellet 5200 occurs when the particles 5203 are attached to the side surface of the pellet 5200 has high validity.

The pellets 5200 are considered to be deposited on the surface of the substrate 5220 according to such a deposition model. A CAAC-OS can be deposited even when a formation surface does not have a crystal structure; therefore, a growth mechanism in this case is different from epitaxial growth. In addition, a uniform film of a CAAC-OS or an nc-OS can be formed even over a large-sized glass substrate or the like. Even when the surface of the substrate 5220 (formation surface) has an amorphous structure (e.g., amorphous silicon oxide), for example, a CAAC-OS can be formed.

In addition, even when the surface of the substrate 5220 (formation surface) has an uneven shape, the pellets 5200 are aligned along the shape.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an oxide semiconductor film having no or a very small region in which a spinel crystal structure is observed can be obtained. A highly reliable semiconductor device which includes the oxide semiconductor film can be provided.

Note that the structure described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 2

In this embodiment, semiconductor devices including the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention, and manufacturing methods thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 14A to 14C, FIGS. 15A to 15C, FIGS. 16A to 16C, FIGS. 17A to 17C, FIGS. 18A to 18D, FIGS. 19A and 19B, FIGS. 20A to 20D, FIGS. 21A to 21F, FIGS. 22A to 22F, FIGS. 23A to 23F, FIGS. 24A and 24B, FIGS. 25A to 25F, and FIGS. 26A to 26F.

2-1. Structural Example of Semiconductor Device

FIG. 14A is a plan view of a transistor 200 that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along a dashed dotted line X1-X2 in FIG. 14A, and FIG. 14C is a cross-sectional view taken along a dashed dotted line Y1-Y2 in FIG. 14A. Note that in FIG. 14A, some components of the transistor 200 (e.g., an insulating film serving as a gate insulating film) are not illustrated to avoid complexity. Furthermore, the direction of the dashed dotted line X1-X2 may be referred to as a channel length direction, and the direction of the dashed dotted line Y1-Y2 may be referred to as a channel width direction. As in FIG. 14A, some components are not illustrated in some cases in top views of transistors described below.

The transistor 200 includes a conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode over a substrate 202, an insulating film 206 over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204, an insulating film 207 over the insulating film 206, an oxide semiconductor film 208 over the insulating film 207, a conductive film 212 a functioning as a source electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208, and a conductive film 212 b functioning as a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208. Over the transistor 200, specifically, over the conductive films 212 a and 212 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208, an insulating film 214, an insulating film 216, and an insulating film 218 are provided. The insulating films 214, 216, and 218 function as protective insulating films for the transistor 200.

Furthermore, the insulating films 206 and 207 function as gate insulating films of the transistor 200.

As the oxide semiconductor film 208, the oxide semiconductor film described in Embodiment 1 can be used. Since the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention has no or very few regions with a spinel crystal structure, the highly reliable transistor 200 can be provided.

Components of the semiconductor device of this embodiment will be described below in detail.

Substrate

There is no particular limitation on the property of a material and the like of the substrate 202 as long as the material has heat resistance high enough to withstand at least heat treatment to be performed later. For example, a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, a quartz substrate, a sapphire substrate, or the like may be used as the substrate 202. Alternatively, a single crystal semiconductor substrate or a polycrystalline semiconductor substrate made of silicon, silicon carbide, or the like, a compound semiconductor substrate made of silicon germanium or the like, an SOI (silicon on insulator) substrate, or the like may be used as the substrate 202. Further alternatively, any of these substrates provided with a semiconductor element may be used as the substrate 202. In the case where a glass substrate is used as the substrate 202, a glass substrate having any of the following sizes can be used: the 6th generation (1500 mm × 1850 mm), the 7th generation (1870 mm × 2200 mm), the 8th generation (2200 mm × 2400 mm), the 9th generation (2400 mm × 2800 mm), and the 10th generation (2950 mm × 3400 mm). Thus, a large-sized display device can be manufactured. Such a large-sized substrate is preferably used because the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Alternatively, a flexible substrate may be used as the substrate 202, and the transistor 200 may be provided directly on the flexible substrate. Further alternatively, a separation layer may be provided between the substrate 202 and the transistor 200. The separation layer can be used when part or the whole of a semiconductor device formed over the separation layer is completed and separated from the substrate 202 and transferred to another substrate. In such a case, the transistor 200 can be transferred to a substrate having low heat resistance or a flexible substrate as well.

Conductive Films Functioning as Gate Electrode and Source and Drain Electrodes

The conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode, the conductive film 212 a functioning as a source electrode, and the conductive film 212 b functioning as a drain electrode can each be formed using a metal element selected from chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), gold (Au), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), molybdenum (Mo), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), iron (Fe), and cobalt (Co); an alloy including any of these metal elements as its component; an alloy including a combination of any of these metal elements; or the like.

The conductive films 204, 212 a, and 212 b may have a single-layer structure or a stacked-layer structure of two or more layers. For example, a single-layer structure of an aluminum film containing silicon, a two-layer structure in which a titanium film is stacked over an aluminum film, a two-layer structure in which a titanium film is stacked over a titanium nitride film, a two-layer structure in which a tungsten film is stacked over a titanium nitride film, a two-layer structure in which a tungsten film is stacked over a tantalum nitride film or a tungsten nitride film, a three-layer structure in which a titanium film, an aluminum film, and a titanium film are stacked in this order, and the like can be given. Alternatively, an alloy film or a nitride film in which aluminum and one or more elements selected from titanium, tantalum, tungsten, molybdenum, chromium, neodymium, and scandium are combined may be used.

The conductive films 204, 212 a, and 212 b can also be formed using a light-transmitting conductive material such as indium tin oxide, indium oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide containing tungsten oxide, indium oxide containing titanium oxide, indium tin oxide containing titanium oxide, indium zinc oxide, or indium tin oxide to which silicon oxide is added.

A Cu-X alloy film (X is Mn, Ni, Cr, Fe, Co, Mo, Ta, or Ti) may be used for the conductive films 204, 212 a, and 212 b. Use of a Cu-X alloy film enables the manufacturing cost to be reduced because wet etching process can be used in the processing.

Insulating Film Functioning as Gate Insulating Film

As each of the insulating films 206 and 207 functioning as gate insulating films of the transistor 200, an insulating layer including at least one of the following films formed by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method, a sputtering method, or the like can be used: a silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, a silicon nitride oxide film, a silicon nitride film, an aluminum oxide film, a hafnium oxide film, an yttrium oxide film, a zirconium oxide film, a gallium oxide film, a tantalum oxide film, a magnesium oxide film, a lanthanum oxide film, a cerium oxide film, and a neodymium oxide film. Note that instead of the stacked-layer structure of the insulating films 206 and 207, an insulating film of a single layer formed using a material selected from the above or an insulating film of three or more layers may be used.

The insulating film 206 functions as a blocking film which inhibits penetration of oxygen. For example, in the case where excess oxygen is supplied to the insulating film 207, the insulating film 214, the insulating film 216, and/or the oxide semiconductor film 208, the insulating film 206 can inhibit penetration of oxygen.

Note that the insulating film 207 that is in contact with the oxide semiconductor film 208 functioning as a channel region of the transistor 200 is preferably an oxide insulating film and preferably includes a region including oxygen in excess of the stoichiometric composition (oxygen-excess region). In other words, the insulating film 207 is an insulating film capable of releasing oxygen. In order to provide the oxygen-excess region in the insulating film 207, the insulating film 207 is formed in an oxygen atmosphere, for example. Alternatively, the oxygen-excess region may be formed by introduction of oxygen into the insulating film 207 after the deposition. As a method for introducing oxygen, an ion implantation method, an ion doping method, a plasma immersion ion implantation method, plasma treatment, or the like may be employed.

In the case where hafnium oxide is used as the insulating film 207, the following effect is attained. Hafnium oxide has a higher dielectric constant than silicon oxide and silicon oxynitride. Therefore, by using hafnium oxide, the thickness of the insulating film 207 can be made large as compared with the case where silicon oxide is used; thus, leakage current due to tunnel current can be low. That is, it is possible to provide a transistor with a low off-state current. Moreover, hafnium oxide with a crystalline structure has higher dielectric constant than hafnium oxide with an amorphous structure. Therefore, it is preferable to use hafnium oxide with a crystalline structure in order to provide a transistor with a low off-state current. Examples of the crystalline structure include a monoclinic crystal structure and a cubic crystal structure. Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

In this embodiment, a silicon nitride film is formed as the insulating film 206, and a silicon oxide film is formed as the insulating film 207. The silicon nitride film has a higher dielectric constant than a silicon oxide film and needs a larger thickness for capacitance equivalent to that of the silicon oxide film. Thus, when the silicon nitride film is included as the gate insulating film of the transistor 200, the thickness of the insulating film can be physically increased. This makes it possible to reduce a decrease in withstand voltage of the transistor 200 and furthermore to increase the withstand voltage, thereby reducing electrostatic discharge damage to the transistor 200.

Oxide Semiconductor Film

As the oxide semiconductor film 208, the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention described in Embodiment 1 can be used.

The energy gap of the oxide semiconductor film 208 is 2 eV or more, preferably 2.5 eV or more, further preferably 3 eV or more. The use of an oxide semiconductor having such a wide energy gap can reduce off-state current of the transistor 200.

An oxide semiconductor film with low carrier density is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208. For example, an oxide semiconductor film whose carrier density is lower than 8 × 10¹¹ /cm³, preferably lower than 1 × 10¹¹ /cm³, or further preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁰ /cm³, and greater than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁹ /cm³ is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208.

Note that, without limitation to the compositions and materials described above, a material with an appropriate composition may be used depending on required semiconductor characteristics and electrical characteristics (e.g., field-effect mobility and threshold voltage) of a transistor. Furthermore, in order to obtain required semiconductor characteristics of a transistor, it is preferable that the carrier density, the impurity concentration, the defect density, the atomic ratio of a metal element to oxygen, the interatomic distance, the density, and the like of the oxide semiconductor film 208 be set to be appropriate.

Note that it is preferable to use, as the oxide semiconductor film 208, an oxide semiconductor film in which the impurity concentration is low and the density of defect states is low, in which case the transistor can have more excellent electrical characteristics. Here, the state in which the impurity concentration is low and the density of defect states is low (the number of oxygen vacancies is small) is referred to as “highly purified intrinsic” or “substantially highly purified intrinsic”. A highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film has few carrier generation sources, and thus can have a low carrier density. Thus, a transistor in which a channel region is formed in the oxide semiconductor film rarely has a negative threshold voltage (is rarely normally on). A highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film has a low density of defect states and accordingly has a low density of trap states in some cases. Furthermore, the highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film has an extremely low off-state current; even when an element has a channel width W of 1 × 10⁶ µm and a channel length L of 10 µm, the off-state current can be less than or equal to the measurement limit of a semiconductor parameter analyzer, that is, less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻¹³ A, at a voltage (drain voltage) between a source electrode and a drain electrode of from 1 V to 10 V.

Accordingly, the transistor in which the channel region is formed in the highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film can have a small change in electrical characteristics and high reliability. Charges trapped by the trap states in the oxide semiconductor film take a long time to be released and may behave like fixed charges. Thus, the transistor whose channel region is formed in the oxide semiconductor film having a high density of trap states has unstable electrical characteristics in some cases. As examples of the impurities, hydrogen, nitrogen, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, iron, nickel, silicon, and the like are given.

In the case where the oxide semiconductor film 208 includes In, Ga, and Zn, for example, the highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor film 208 preferably includes a region where the total amount of In, Ga, Zn, and O is higher than or equal to 99.97 atomic%.

Hydrogen included in the oxide semiconductor film 208 reacts with oxygen bonded to a metal atom to be water, and also causes oxygen vacancies in a lattice from which oxygen is released (or a portion from which oxygen is released). Due to entry of hydrogen into the oxygen vacancies, electrons serving as carriers are generated in some cases. Furthermore, in some cases, bonding of part of hydrogen to oxygen bonded to a metal atom causes generation of an electron serving as a carrier. Thus, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film which contains hydrogen is likely to be normally on. Accordingly, it is preferable that hydrogen be reduced as much as possible in the oxide semiconductor film 208. Specifically, the hydrogen concentration of the oxide semiconductor film 208, which is measured by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), is lower than 1 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁹ atoms/cm³, further preferably lower than 5 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, still further preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³. In other words, the oxide semiconductor film 208 includes a region whose hydrogen concentration measured by SIMS is lower than 1 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³.

When silicon or carbon that is one of elements belonging to Group 14 is contained in the oxide semiconductor film 208, oxygen vacancies are increased in the oxide semiconductor film 208, and the oxide semiconductor film 208 becomes an n-type film. Thus, the concentration of silicon or carbon (the concentration is measured by SIMS) in the oxide semiconductor film 208 or the concentration of silicon or carbon (the concentration is measured by SIMS) in the vicinity of an interface with the oxide semiconductor film 208 is set to be lower than or equal to 2 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 2 × 10¹⁷ atoms/cm³.

When the oxide semiconductor film 208 contains alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, the alkali metal or the alkaline earth metal and oxygen or the like contained in the oxide semiconductor film are bonded to each other, so that carriers are generated in some cases. Thus, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film which contains alkali metal or alkaline earth metal is likely to be normally on. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the concentration of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal of the oxide semiconductor film 208. Specifically, the concentration of alkali metal or alkaline earth metal of the oxide semiconductor film 208, which is measured by SIMS, is lower than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 2 × 10¹⁶ atoms/cm³.

In some cases, iron, nickel, and silicon contained in the oxide semiconductor film 208 are bonded to oxygen or the like contained in the oxide semiconductor film, so that carriers are generated. Thus, a transistor including an oxide semiconductor film which contains iron, nickel, and silicon is likely to be normally on. Therefore, it is preferable to reduce the concentrations of iron, nickel, and silicon of the oxide semiconductor film 208 are preferably reduced. For example, the total concentration of impurities, i.e., iron, nickel, and silicon in the oxide semiconductor film 208 may be lower than 0.03 atomic%.

When the oxide semiconductor film 208 contains nitrogen, the oxide semiconductor film 208 easily becomes n-type by generation of electrons serving as carriers and an increase of carrier density. A transistor including an oxide semiconductor film which contains nitrogen is likely to be normally-on. For this reason, nitrogen in the oxide semiconductor film is preferably reduced as much as possible; the concentration of nitrogen which is measured by SIMS is preferably set to be, for example, lower than or equal to 5 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³.

Insulating Film Functioning as Protective Insulating Film of a Transistor

The insulating films 214 and 216 each have a function of supplying oxygen to the oxide semiconductor film 208. The insulating film 218 functions as a protective insulating film for the transistor 200. The insulating films 214 and 216 contain oxygen. Furthermore, the insulating film 214 is an insulating film which is permeable to oxygen. Note that the insulating film 214 serves also as a film which relieves damage to the oxide semiconductor film 208 at the time of forming the insulating film 216 later.

A silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or the like with a thickness greater than or equal to 5 nm and less than or equal to 150 nm, preferably greater than or equal to 5 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm can be used as the insulating film 214.

In addition, it is preferable that the number of defects in the insulating film 214 be small; as a typical example, the spin density corresponding to a signal that appears at around g = 2.001 due to a dangling bond of silicon be lower than or equal to 3 × 10¹⁷ spins/cm³ by electron spin resonance (ESR) measurement. This is because if the density of defects in the insulating film 214 is high, oxygen is bonded to the defects and the amount of oxygen that passes through the insulating film 214 is decreased.

Note that not all oxygen entering the insulating film 214 from the outside move to the outside of the insulating film 214 and some oxygen remains in the insulating film 214. Furthermore, movement of oxygen occurs in the insulating film 214 in some cases in such a manner that oxygen enters the insulating film 214 and oxygen contained in the insulating film 214 moves to the outside of the insulating film 214. When an oxide insulating film that allows oxygen to pass through the insulating film 216 provided over the insulating film 214 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208 through the insulating film 214.

The insulating film 214 can be formed using an oxide insulating film having a low density of states due to nitrogen oxide. Note that the density of states due to nitrogen oxide can be formed between the valence band maximum (E_(v_os)) and the conduction band minimum (E_(c_os)) of the oxide semiconductor film. A silicon oxynitride film that releases less nitrogen oxide, an aluminum oxynitride film that releases less nitrogen oxide, or the like can be used as the above oxide insulating film.

Note that a silicon oxynitride film that releases less nitrogen oxide is a film which releases ammonia more than nitrogen oxide in thermal desorption spectroscopy analysis; as a typical example, the amount of released ammonia molecules is greater than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁸ molecules/cm³ and less than or equal to 5 × 10¹⁹ molecules/cm³. Note that the amount of released ammonia is the amount of ammonia released by heat treatment with which the surface temperature of the film becomes a temperature higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 650° C., preferably higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 550° C.

Nitrogen oxide (NO_(x); x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 2, preferably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2), typified by NO₂ or NO, forms levels in the insulating film 214, for example. The level is positioned in the energy gap of the oxide semiconductor film 208. Therefore, when nitrogen oxide is diffused to the interface between the insulating film 214 and the oxide semiconductor film 208, an electron is in some cases trapped by the level on the insulating film 214 side. As a result, the trapped electron remains in the vicinity of the interface between the insulating film 214 and the oxide semiconductor film 208; thus, the threshold voltage of the transistor is shifted in the positive direction.

Nitrogen oxide reacts with ammonia and oxygen in heat treatment. Since nitrogen oxide contained in the insulating film 214 reacts with ammonia contained in the insulating film 216 in heat treatment, nitrogen oxide contained in the insulating film 214 is reduced. Therefore, an electron is hardly trapped at the interface between the insulating film 214 and the oxide semiconductor film 208.

With such an oxide insulating film, the insulating film 214 can reduce the shift in the threshold voltage of the transistor, which leads to a smaller change in the electrical characteristics of the transistor.

Note that in an ESR spectrum at 100 K or lower of the insulating film 214 subjected to heat treatment of a manufacturing process of the transistor, typically, heat treatment at a temperature lower than 400° C. or lower than 375° C. (preferably higher than or equal to 340° C. and lower than or equal to 360° C.), a first signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.037 and less than or equal to 2.039, a second signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.001 and less than or equal to 2.003, and a third signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 1.964 and less than or equal to 1.966 are observed. The split width of the first and second signals and the split width of the second and third signals that are obtained by ESR measurement using an X-band are each approximately 5 mT. The sum of the spin densities of the first signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.037 and less than or equal to 2.039, the second signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.001 and less than or equal to 2.003, and the third signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 1.964 and less than or equal to 1.966 is lower than 1 × 10¹⁸ spins/cm³, typically higher than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁷ spins/cm³ and lower than 1 × 10¹⁸ spins/cm³.

In the ESR spectrum at 100 K or lower, the first signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.037 and less than or equal to 2.039, the second signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.001 and less than or equal to 2.003, and the third signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 1.964 and less than or equal to 1.966 correspond to signals attributed to nitrogen oxide (NO_(x); x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 2, preferably greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to 2). Typical examples of nitrogen oxide include nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. In other words, the lower the total spin density of the first signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.037 and less than or equal to 2.039, the second signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 2.001 and less than or equal to 2.003, and the third signal that appears at a g-factor of greater than or equal to 1.964 and less than or equal to 1.966 is, the smaller the amount of nitrogen oxide in the oxide insulating film is.

The concentration of nitrogen of the above oxide insulating film measured by SIMS is lower than or equal to 6 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³.

The above oxide insulating film is formed by a PECVD method at a substrate temperature higher than or equal to 220° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. using silane and dinitrogen monoxide, whereby a dense and hard film can be formed.

The insulating film 216 is formed using an oxide insulating film that contains oxygen at a higher proportion than oxygen in the stoichiometric composition. Part of oxygen is released by heating from the oxide insulating film containing more oxygen than that in the stoichiometric composition. The oxide insulating film containing oxygen in excess of that in the stoichiometric composition is an oxide insulating film in which the amount of released oxygen converted into oxygen atoms is greater than or equal to 1.0 × 10¹⁹ atoms/cm², preferably greater than or equal to 3.0 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm² in thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS). Note that the surface temperature of a film in the TDS is preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 700° C., or higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 500° C.

A silicon oxide film, a silicon oxynitride film, or the like with a thickness greater than or equal to 30 nm and less than or equal to 500 nm, preferably greater than or equal to 50 nm and less than or equal to 400 nm can be used as the insulating film 216.

It is preferable that the amount of defects in the insulating film 216 be small; as a typical example, the spin density corresponding to a signal which appears at g = 2.001 due to a dangling bond of silicon be lower than 1.5 × 10¹⁸ spins/cm³, further preferably lower than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁸ spins/cm³ by ESR measurement. Note that the insulating film 216 is provided more apart from the oxide semiconductor film 208 than the insulating film 214 is; thus, the insulating film 216 may have higher defect density than the insulating film 214.

Furthermore, the insulating films 214 and 216 can be formed using insulating films formed of the same kinds of materials; thus, a boundary between the insulating films 214 and 216 cannot be clearly observed in some cases. Thus, in this embodiment, the boundary between the insulating films 214 and 216 is shown by a dashed line. Although a two-layer structure of the insulating films 214 and 216 is described in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, a single-layer structure of either one of the insulating films 214 and 216 may be employed.

The insulating film 218 has a function of blocking oxygen, hydrogen, water, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, or the like. It is possible to prevent outward diffusion of oxygen from the oxide semiconductor film 208, outward diffusion of oxygen included in the insulating films 214 and 216, and entry of hydrogen, water, or the like into the oxide semiconductor film 208 from the outside by providing the insulating film 218.

As the insulating film 218, a nitride insulating film can be used, for example. The nitride insulating film is formed using silicon nitride, silicon nitride oxide, aluminum nitride, aluminum nitride oxide, or the like. Note that instead of the nitride insulating film having a blocking effect against oxygen, hydrogen, water, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, and the like, an oxide insulating film having a blocking effect against oxygen, hydrogen, water, and the like may be provided. As the oxide insulating film having a blocking effect against oxygen, hydrogen, water, and the like, an aluminum oxide film, an aluminum oxynitride film, a gallium oxide film, a gallium oxynitride film, an yttrium oxide film, an yttrium oxynitride film, a hafnium oxide film, a hafnium oxynitride film, and the like can be given.

2-2. Structural Example of Semiconductor Device

A structure example different from that of the transistor 200 in FIGS. 14A to 14C is described with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C.

FIG. 15A is a top view of a transistor 250 that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line X1-X2 in FIG. 15A, and FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line Y1-Y2 in FIG. 15A.

The transistor 250 includes the conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode over the substrate 202, the insulating film 206 over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204, the insulating film 207 over the insulating film 206, the oxide semiconductor film 208 over the insulating film 207, the insulating films 214 and 216 over the oxide semiconductor film 208, the conductive film 212 a functioning as a source electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208 through an opening 251 a provided in the insulating films 214 and 216, and the conductive film 212 b functioning as a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208 through an opening 251 b provided in the insulating films 214 and 216. Over the transistor 250, specifically over the conductive films 212 a and 212 b and the insulating film 216, the insulating film 218 is provided. The insulating films 214 and 216 function as protective insulating films for the oxide semiconductor film 208. The insulating film 218 functions as a protective insulating film for the transistor 250.

Although the transistor 200 has a channel-etched structure, the transistor 250 in FIGS. 15A to 15C has a channel-protective structure. Thus, either the channel-etched structure or the channel-protective structure can be applied to the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention. The other structures are the same as those of the transistor 200 and a similar effect can be obtained.

2-3. Structural Example of Semiconductor Device

A structure example different from that of the transistor 250 in FIGS. 15A to 15C is described with reference to FIGS. 16A to 16C.

FIG. 16A is a top view of a transistor 260 that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line X1-X2 illustrated in FIG. 16A, and FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line Y1-Y2 illustrated in FIG. 16A.

The transistor 260 includes the conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode over the substrate 202, the insulating film 206 over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204, the insulating film 207 over the insulating film 206, the oxide semiconductor film 208 over the insulating film 207, the insulating films 214 and 216 over the oxide semiconductor film 208, the conductive film 212 a functioning as a source electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208, and the conductive film 212 b functioning as a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208. Over the transistor 260, specifically over the conductive films 212 a and 212 b and the insulating film 216, the insulating film 218 is provided. The insulating films 214 and 216 function as protective insulating films for the oxide semiconductor film 208. The insulating film 218 functions as a protective insulating film for the transistor 260.

The transistor 260 is different from the transistor 250 illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15C in the shape of the insulating films 214 and 216. Specifically, the insulating films 214 and 216 of the transistor 260 have an island shape over a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film 208. The other components are the same as those of the transistor 250, and a similar effect is obtained.

2-4. Structural Example of Semiconductor Device

A structure example different from that of the transistor 200 in FIGS. 14A to 14C is described with reference to FIGS. 17A to 17C.

FIG. 17A is a top view of a transistor 270 that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17B is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line X1-X2 in FIG. 17A, and FIG. 17C is a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line Y1-Y2 in FIG. 17A.

The transistor 270 includes the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode over the substrate 202, the insulating film 206 over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204, the insulating film 207 over the insulating film 206, the oxide semiconductor film 208 over the insulating film 207, the insulating films 214 and 216 over the oxide semiconductor film 208, the conductive film 212 a functioning as a source electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208, the conductive film 212 b functioning as a drain electrode electrically connected to the oxide semiconductor film 208, the insulating film 218 over the conductive films 212 a and 212 b and the insulating film 216, and conductive films 220 a and 220 b over the insulating film 218.

In the transistor 270, the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 function as second gate insulating films of the transistor 270. Furthermore, the conductive film 220 a in the transistor 270 functions as, for example, a pixel electrode used for a display device. The conductive film 220 a is connected to the conductive film 212 b through an opening 252 c provided in the insulating films 214, 216, and 218. The conductive film 220 b in the transistor 270 functions as a second gate electrode (also referred to as a back gate electrode).

As illustrated in FIG. 17C, the conductive film 220 b is connected to the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode through openings 252 a and 252 b provided in the insulating films 206, 207, 214, 216, and 218. Accordingly, the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204 are supplied with the same potential.

Note that although the structure in which the openings 252 a and 252 b are provided so that the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204 are connected to each other is described in this embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a structure in which only one of the openings 252 a and 252 b is provided so that the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204 are connected to each other, or a structure in which the openings 252 a and 252 b are not provided and the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204 are not connected to each other may be employed. Note that in the case where the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204 are not connected to each other, it is possible to apply different potentials to the conductive film 220 b and the conductive film 204.

As illustrated in FIG. 17B, the oxide semiconductor film 208 is positioned to face each of the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode and the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode, and is sandwiched between the two conductive films functioning as gate electrodes. The lengths in the channel length direction and the channel width direction of the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode are longer than those in the channel length direction and the channel width direction of the oxide semiconductor film 208. The whole oxide semiconductor film 208 is covered with the conductive film 220 b with the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 positioned therebetween. Since the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode is connected to the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode through the openings 252 a and 252 b provided in the insulating films 206 and 207 and the insulating films 214, 216, and 218, a side surface of the oxide semiconductor film 208 in the channel width direction faces the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode with the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 positioned therebetween.

In other words, in the channel width direction of the transistor 270, the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode and the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode are connected to each other through the openings provided in the insulating films 206 and 207 functioning as first gate insulating films and the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 functioning as second gate insulating films; and the conductive film 204 and the conductive film 220 b surround the oxide semiconductor film 208 with the insulating films 206 and 207 functioning as first gate insulating films and the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 functioning as second gate insulating films positioned therebetween.

Such a structure enables the oxide semiconductor film 208 included in the transistor 270 to be electrically surrounded by electric fields of the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode and the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode. A device structure of a transistor, like that of the transistor 270, in which electric fields of a first gate electrode and a second gate electrode electrically surround an oxide semiconductor film where a channel region is formed can be referred to as a surrounded channel (s-channel) structure.

Since the transistor 270 has the s-channel structure, an electric field for inducing a channel can be effectively applied to the oxide semiconductor film 208 by the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode; therefore, the current drive capability of the transistor 270 can be improved and high on-state current characteristics can be obtained. Since the on-state current can be increased, it is possible to reduce the size of the transistor 270. In addition, since the transistor 270 is surrounded by the conductive film 204 functioning as a first gate electrode and the conductive film 220 b functioning as a second gate electrode, the mechanical strength of the transistor 270 can be increased.

2-5. Structural Example of Semiconductor Device

Structure examples different from that of the transistor 270 in FIGS. 17A to 17C are described with reference to FIGS. 18A to 18D.

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate a cross-sectional view illustrating a variation of the transistor 270 in FIGS. 17B and 17C. FIGS. 18C and 18D illustrate a cross-sectional view illustrating another variation of the transistor 270 in FIGS. 17B and 17C.

A transistor 270A in FIGS. 18A and 18B has the same structure as the transistor 270 in FIGS. 17B and 17C except that the oxide semiconductor film 208 has a three-layer structure. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor film 208 of the transistor 270A includes an oxide semiconductor film 208 a, an oxide semiconductor film 208 b, and an oxide semiconductor film 208 c.

A transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D has the same structure as the transistor 270 in FIGS. 17B and 17C except that the oxide semiconductor film 208 has a two-layer structure. Specifically, the oxide semiconductor film 208 of the transistor 270B includes the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c.

Here, a band structure including the oxide semiconductor films 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c and insulating films in contact with the oxide semiconductor films 208 b and 208 c is described with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B.

FIG. 19A shows an example of a band structure in the thickness direction of a stacked-layer structure including the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor films 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c, and the insulating film 214. FIG. 19B shows an example of a band structure in the thickness direction of a stacked-layer structure including the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor films 208 b and 208 c, and the insulating film 214. For easy understanding, energy level of the conduction band minimum (Ec) of each of the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor films 208 a, 208 b, and 208 c, and the insulating film 214 is shown in the band structures.

In the band structure of FIG. 19A, a silicon oxide film is used as each of the insulating film 207 and the insulating film 214, an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2, is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208 a, an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1, is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208 b, and an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2, is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208 c.

In the band structure of FIG. 19B, a silicon oxide film is used as each of the insulating film 207 and the insulating film 214, an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1, is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208 b, and an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2, is used as the oxide semiconductor film 208 c.

As illustrated in FIGS. 19A and 19B, the energy level of the conduction band minimum gradually changes between the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and between the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c. In other words, the energy level of the conduction band minimum is continuously changed or continuously connected. To obtain such a band structure, there exists no impurity, which forms a defect state such as a trap center or a recombination center, at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and the oxide semiconductor film 208 b or at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c.

To form a continuous junction between the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and between the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c, it is necessary to form the films successively without exposure to the air by using a multi-chamber deposition apparatus (sputtering apparatus) provided with a load lock chamber.

With the band structure of FIG. 19A or FIG. 19B, the oxide semiconductor film 208 b serves as a well, and a channel region is formed in the oxide semiconductor film 208 b in the transistor with the stacked-layer structure.

By providing the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c, the oxide semiconductor film 208 b can be distanced away from trap states.

In addition, the trap states might be more distant from the vacuum level than the energy level of the conduction band minimum (Ec) of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b functioning as a channel region, so that electrons are likely to be accumulated in the trap states. When the electrons are accumulated in the trap states, the electrons become negative fixed electric charge, so that the threshold voltage of the transistor is shifted in the positive direction. Therefore, it is preferable that the trap states be closer to the vacuum level than the energy level of the conduction band minimum (Ec) of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b. Such a structure inhibits accumulation of electrons in the trap states. As a result, the on-state current and the field-effect mobility of the transistor can be increased.

The energy level of the conduction band minimum of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is closer to the vacuum level than that of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b. Typically, a difference in energy level between the conduction band minimum of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the conduction band minimum of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is 0.15 eV or more or 0.5 eV or more and 2 eV or less or 1 eV or less. That is, the difference between the electron affinity of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c and the electron affinity of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b is 0.15 eV or more or 0.5 eV or more and 2 eV or less or 1 eV or less.

In such a structure, the oxide semiconductor film 208 b serves as a main path of current and functions as a channel region. In addition, since the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c each include one or more metal elements included in the oxide semiconductor film 208 b in which a channel region is formed, interface scattering is less likely to occur at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and the oxide semiconductor film 208 b or at the interface between the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c. Thus, the transistor can have high field-effect mobility because the movement of carriers is not hindered at the interface.

To prevent each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c from functioning as part of a channel region, a material having sufficiently low conductivity is used for the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c. Alternatively, a material which has a smaller electron affinity (a difference in energy level between the vacuum level and the conduction band minimum) than the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and has a difference in energy level in the conduction band minimum from the oxide semiconductor film 208 b (band offset) is used for the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c. Furthermore, to inhibit generation of a difference in threshold voltage due to the value of the drain voltage, it is preferable to form the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c using a material whose energy level of the conduction band minimum is closer to the vacuum level than that of the oxide semiconductor film 208 b by 0.2 eV or more, preferably 0.5 eV or more.

It is preferable that the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c not have a spinel crystal structure. This is because if the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c have a spinel crystal structure, constituent elements of the conductive films 212 a and 212 b might be diffused to the oxide semiconductor film 208 b at the interface between the spinel crystal structure and another region. Note that each of the oxide semiconductor film 208 a and 208 c is preferably a CAAC-OS, in which case a higher blocking property against constituent elements of the conductive films 212 a and 212 b, for example, copper elements, is obtained.

The thickness of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is greater than or equal to a thickness that is capable of inhibiting diffusion of the constituent elements of the conductive films 212 a and 212 b to the oxide semiconductor film 208 b, and less than a thickness that inhibits supply of oxygen from the insulating film 214 to the oxide semiconductor film 208 b. For example, when the thickness of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is greater than or equal to 10 nm, diffusion of the constituent elements of the conductive films 212 a and 212 b to the oxide semiconductor film 208 b can be inhibited. When the thickness of each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is less than or equal to 100 nm, oxygen can be effectively supplied from the insulating film 214 to the oxide semiconductor film 208 b.

Although the example where an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2, is used as each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c is described in this embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, an oxide semiconductor film formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of metal elements, In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:2, In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:4, or In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:6, may be used as each of the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c.

When the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c are formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c have an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:β1 (0 < β1 ≤ 2)z:β2 (0 < β2 ≤ 3) in some cases. When the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c are formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:4, the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c have an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:β3 (1 ≤ β3 ≤ 5):β4 (2 ≤ β4 ≤ 6) in some cases. When the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c are formed using a metal oxide target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:6, the oxide semiconductor films 208 a and 208 c have an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:β5 (1 ≤ β5 ≤ 5):β6 (4 ≤ β6 ≤ 8) in some cases.

The drawings illustrate an example where the oxide semiconductor film 208 in the transistors 200 and 270 and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c in the transistors 270A and 270B have a small thickness in a region which is not covered with the conductive films 212 a and 212 b, that is, an example where part of the oxide semiconductor film has a depressed portion. However, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the oxide semiconductor film does not necessarily have a depressed portion in a region which is not covered with the conductive films 212 a and 212 b. FIGS. 20A to 20D illustrate examples in this case. FIGS. 20A to 20D are cross-sectional views illustrating examples of the semiconductor device. FIGS. 20A and 20B illustrate a structure where the oxide semiconductor film 208 in the transistor 200 does not have a depressed portion, and FIGS. 20C and 20D illustrate a structure where the oxide semiconductor film 208 in the transistor 270B does not have a depressed portion.

The structures of the transistors of this embodiment can be freely combined with each other.

2-6. Manufacturing Method of Semiconductor Device

Next, a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to drawings.

The films included in the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention (i.e., the conductive film, the insulating film, the oxide semiconductor film, and the like) can be formed by a sputtering method, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, a plasma-enhanced CVD (PECVD) method, a vacuum evaporation method, or a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. Without limitation thereto, the films may be formed by a coating method, a printing method, a thermal CVD method, or an atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, for example. By a thermal CVD method such as a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) method, the conductive film, the insulating film, the oxide semiconductor film, and the like may be formed.

A thermal CVD method has an advantage that no defect due to plasma damage is generated since it does not utilize plasma for forming a film.

Deposition by a thermal CVD method may be performed in such a manner that a source gas and an oxidizer are supplied to a chamber at a time while the pressure in the chamber is set to an atmospheric pressure or a reduced pressure, and the source gas and the oxidizer react with each other in the vicinity of the substrate or over the substrate.

Deposition by an ALD method may be performed in such a manner that the pressure in a chamber is set to an atmospheric pressure or a reduced pressure, source gases for reaction are sequentially introduced into the chamber, and then the sequence of the gas introduction is repeated. For example, two or more kinds of source gases are sequentially supplied to the chamber by switching respective switching valves (also referred to as high-speed valves). For example, a first source gas is introduced, an inert gas (e.g., argon or nitrogen) or the like is introduced when or after the first source gas is introduced so that the source gases are not mixed, and then a second source gas is introduced. Note that in the case where the first source gas and the inert gas are introduced at a time, the inert gas serves as a carrier gas, and the inert gas may also be introduced at the same time as the second source gas. Alternatively, the first source gas may be exhausted by vacuum evacuation instead of the introduction of the inert gas, and then the second source gas may be introduced. The first source gas is adsorbed on the surface of the substrate to form a first layer; then the second source gas is introduced to react with the first layer; as a result, a second layer is stacked over the first layer, so that a thin film is formed. The sequence of the gas introduction is repeated plural times until a desired thickness is obtained, whereby a thin film with excellent step coverage can be formed. The thickness of the thin film can be adjusted by the number of repetition times of the sequence of the gas introduction; thus, an ALD method makes it possible to accurately adjust the film thickness and thus is suitable for manufacturing a minute FET.

The above conductive films, insulating films, oxide semiconductor films, the metal oxide films, and the like can be formed by a thermal CVD method such as an MOCVD method. To form an In—Ga—Zn—O film, for example, trimethylindium, trimethylgallium, and dimethylzinc can be used. Note that the chemical formula of trimethylindium is In(CH₃)₃. The chemical formula of trimethylgallium is Ga(CH₃)₃. The chemical formula of dimethylzinc is Zn(CH₃)₂. Without limitation to the above combination, triethylgallium (chemical formula: Ga(C₂H₅)₃) can be used instead of trimethylgallium, and diethylzinc (chemical formula: Zn(C₂H₅)₂) can be used instead of dimethylzinc.

For example, in the case where a hafnium oxide film is formed with a deposition apparatus employing ALD, two kinds of gases, i.e., ozone (O₃) as an oxidizer and a source gas which is obtained by vaporizing liquid containing a solvent and a hafnium precursor compound (hafnium alkoxide or hafnium amide such as tetrakis(dimethylamide)hafnium (TDMAH)) are used. Note that the chemical formula of tetrakis(dimethylamide)hafnium is Hf[N(CH₃)₂]₄. Examples of another material liquid include tetrakis(ethylmethylamide)hafnium.

For example, in the case where an aluminum oxide film is formed with a deposition apparatus employing ALD, two kinds of gases, i.e., H₂O as an oxidizer and a source gas which is obtained by vaporizing liquid containing a solvent and an aluminum precursor compound (e.g., trimethylaluminum (TMA)) are used. Note that the chemical formula of trimethylaluminum is Al(CH₃)₃. Examples of another material liquid include tris(dimethylamide)aluminum, triisobutylaluminum, and aluminum tris(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate).

For example, in the case where a silicon oxide film is formed with a deposition apparatus employing ALD, hexachlorodisilane is adsorbed on the surface where a film is to be formed, chlorine contained in the adsorbate is removed, and radicals of an oxidizing gas (e.g., O₂ or dinitrogen monoxide) are supplied to react with the adsorbate.

For example, in the case where a tungsten film is formed with a deposition apparatus employing ALD, a WF₆ gas and a B₂H₆ gas are sequentially introduced plural times to form an initial tungsten film, and then a WF₆ gas and an H₂ gas are introduced at a time, so that a tungsten film is formed. Note that an SiH₄ gas may be used instead of a B₂H₆ gas.

For example, in the case where an oxide semiconductor film, e.g., an In—Ga—Zn—O film is formed with a deposition apparatus employing ALD, an In(CH₃)₃ gas and an O₃ gas are sequentially introduced a plurality of times to form an In—O layer, then a Ga(CH₃)₃ gas and an O₃ gas are used to form a GaO layer, and then a Zn(CH₃)₂ gas and an O₃ gas are used to form a Zn—O layer. Note that the order of these layers is not limited to this example. A mixed compound layer such as an In—Ga—O layer, an In—Zn—O layer, or a Ga—Zn—O layer may be formed by mixing these gases. Note that although an H₂O gas which is obtained by bubbling with an inert gas such as Ar may be used instead of an O₃ gas, it is preferable to use an O₃ gas, which does not contain H. Instead of an In(CH₃)₃ gas, an In(C₂H₅)₃ may be used. Instead of a Ga(CH₃)₃ gas, a Ga(C₂H₅)₃ gas may be used. Furthermore, Zn(CH₃)₂ gas may be used.

Method 1 for Manufacturing Semiconductor Device

First, a method for manufacturing the transistor 270B that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in FIGS. 18C and 18D, is described with reference to FIGS. 21A to 21F, FIGS. 22A to 22F, and FIGS. 23A to 23F. FIGS. 21A to 21F, FIGS. 22A to 22F, and FIGS. 23A to 23F are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. FIGS. 21A, 21C, and 21E, FIGS. 22A, 22C, and 22E, and FIGS. 23A, 23C, and 23E are cross-sectional views in the channel length direction, and FIGS. 21B, 21D, and 21F, FIGS. 22B, 22D, and 22F, and FIGS. 23B, 23D, and 23F are cross-sectional views in the channel width direction.

First, a conductive film is formed over the substrate 202 and processed through a lithography process and an etching process, whereby the conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode is formed. Then, the insulating films 206 and 207 functioning as gate insulating films are formed over the conductive film 204 (see FIGS. 21A and 21B).

In this embodiment, a glass substrate is used as the substrate 202, and as the conductive film 204 functioning as a gate electrode, a 100-nm-thick tungsten film is formed by a sputtering method. A 400-nm-thick silicon nitride film as the insulating film 206 and a 50-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film as the insulating film 207 are formed by a PECVD method.

The insulating film 206 can have a stacked-layer structure of silicon nitride films. Specifically, the insulating film 206 can have a three-layer stacked-layer structure of a first silicon nitride film, a second silicon nitride film, and a third silicon nitride film. An example of the three-layer stacked-layer structure can be formed as follows.

For example, the first silicon nitride film can be formed to have a thickness of 50 nm under the conditions where silane at a flow rate of 200 sccm, nitrogen at a flow rate of 2000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm are supplied as a source gas to a reaction chamber of a PECVD apparatus, the pressure in the reaction chamber is controlled to 100 Pa, and a power of 2000 W is supplied using a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power source.

The second silicon nitride film can be formed to have a thickness of 300 nm under the conditions where silane at a flow rate of 200 sccm, nitrogen at a flow rate of 2000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm are supplied as a source gas to the reaction chamber of the PECVD apparatus, the pressure in the reaction chamber is controlled to 100 Pa, and a power of 2000 W is supplied using a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power source.

The third silicon nitride film can be formed to have a thickness of 50 nm under the conditions where silane at a flow rate of 200 sccm and nitrogen at a flow rate of 5000 sccm are supplied as a source gas to the reaction chamber of the PECVD apparatus, the pressure in the reaction chamber is controlled to 100 Pa, and a power of 2000 W is supplied using a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power source.

Note that the first silicon nitride film, the second silicon nitride film, and the third silicon nitride film can be each formed at a substrate temperature of 350° C. or lower.

When the insulating film 206 has the three-layer stacked-layer structure of silicon nitride films, for example, in the case where a conductive film containing copper (Cu) is used as the conductive film 204, the following effect can be obtained.

The first silicon nitride film can inhibit diffusion of a copper (Cu) element from the conductive film 204. The second silicon nitride film has a function of releasing hydrogen and can improve withstand voltage of the insulating film serving as a gate insulating film. The third silicon nitride film releases a small amount of hydrogen and can inhibit diffusion of hydrogen released from the second silicon nitride film.

The insulating film 207 is preferably an insulating film containing oxygen to improve characteristics of an interface with the oxide semiconductor film 208 (specifically the oxide semiconductor film 208 b) formed later.

Next, a stacked-layer film of oxide semiconductor films is formed over the insulating film 207 and is processed into a desired shape, so that the island-shaped oxide semiconductor film 208 including the oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the oxide semiconductor film 208 c is formed (see FIGS. 21C and 21D).

The oxide semiconductor film 208 is formed at a temperature higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 340° C., preferably higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 300° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 250° C., still further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C. The oxide semiconductor film 208 is formed while being heated, so that the crystallinity of the oxide semiconductor film 208 can be increased. On the other hand, in the case where a large-sized glass substrate (e.g., the 6th generation to the 10th generation) is used as the substrate 202 and the oxide semiconductor film 208 is formed at a temperature higher than or equal to 150° C. and lower than 340° C., the substrate 202 might be changed in shape (distorted or warped). In the case where a large-sized glass substrate is used, the change in the shape of the glass substrate can be suppressed by forming the oxide semiconductor film 208 at a temperature higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than 150° C.

The oxide semiconductor films 208 b and 208 c may be formed at the same substrate temperature or different substrate temperatures. Note that the oxide semiconductor films 208 b and 208 c are preferably formed at the same substrate temperature, in which case the manufacturing cost can reduced.

In this embodiment, an oxide semiconductor film to be the oxide semiconductor film 208 b is deposited by a sputtering method using an In—Ga—Zn metal oxide target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1), and an oxide semiconductor film to be the oxide semiconductor film 208 c is successively deposited in a vacuum by a sputtering method using an In—Ga—Zn metal oxide target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2). The substrate temperature during the deposition of the oxide semiconductor film to be the oxide semiconductor film 208 is 170° C. Oxygen and argon are used as deposition gases for the oxide semiconductor film to be the oxide semiconductor film 208.

In the case where the oxide semiconductor film is deposited by a sputtering method, as a sputtering gas, a rare gas (typically argon), oxygen, or a mixed gas of a rare gas and oxygen is used as appropriate. In the case of using the mixed gas of a rare gas and oxygen, the proportion of oxygen to a rare gas is preferably increased. In addition, increasing the purity of a sputtering gas is necessary. For example, when a gas which is highly purified to have a dew point of -40° C. or lower, preferably -80° C. or lower, further preferably -100° C. or lower, still further preferably -120° C. or lower, is used as a sputtering gas, i.e., the oxygen gas or the argon gas, entry of moisture or the like into the oxide semiconductor film can be minimized.

In the case where the oxide semiconductor film is deposited by a sputtering method, the sputtering gas containing oxygen is preferably used. When the oxide semiconductor film is deposited using the sputtering gas containing oxygen, oxygen can be added to a film under the oxide semiconductor film (here, the insulating film 207) at the same time as the formation of the oxide semiconductor film. Therefore, an oxygen-excess region can be provided in the insulating film 207.

In the case where the oxide semiconductor film is formed by a sputtering method, a chamber in a sputtering apparatus is preferably evacuated to be a high vacuum state (to the degree of about 5 × 10⁻⁷ Pa to 1 × 10⁻⁴ Pa) with an adsorption vacuum evacuation pump such as a cryopump in order to remove water or the like, which serves as an impurity for the oxide semiconductor film, as much as possible. Alternatively, a turbo molecular pump and a cold trap are preferably combined so as to prevent a backflow of a gas, especially a gas containing carbon or hydrogen from an exhaust system to the inside of the chamber.

Next, the conductive film 212 to be the source electrode and the drain electrode is formed over the insulating film 207 and the oxide semiconductor film 208 by a sputtering method (see FIGS. 21E and 21F).

In this embodiment, the conductive film 212 is formed of a 400-nm-thick aluminum film is stacked over a 50-nm-thick tungsten film by a sputtering method. Although the conductive film 212 has a two-layer structure in this embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the conductive film 212 may have a three-layer structure in which a 400-nm-thick aluminum film is stacked over a 50-nm-thick tungsten film, and a 100-nm-thick titanium film is stacked over the 400-nm-thick aluminum film.

Next, the conductive film 212 is processed into desired shapes, so that the separate conductive films 212 a and 212 b are formed (see FIGS. 22A and 22B).

In this embodiment, the conductive film 212 is processed with a dry etching apparatus. Note that the method for processing the conductive film 212 is not limited thereto, and a wet etching apparatus may be used, for example. When the conductive film 212 is processed, a finer pattern can be formed with a dry etching apparatus than with a wet etching apparatus. On the other hand, the conductive film 212 can be processed with a wet etching apparatus at lower manufacturing cost than with a dry etching apparatus.

After the conductive films 212 a and 212 b are formed, a surface (on the back channel side) of the oxide semiconductor film 208 (specifically, the oxide semiconductor film 208 c) may be cleaned. The cleaning may be performed, for example, using a chemical solution such as phosphoric acid. The cleaning using a chemical solution such as a phosphoric acid can remove impurities (e.g., an element included in the conductive films 212 a and 212 b) attached to the surface of the oxide semiconductor film 208 c. Note that the cleaning is not necessarily performed, and thus the cleaning may be unnecessary.

In the step of forming the conductive films 212 a and 212 b and/or the cleaning step, the thickness of a region of the oxide semiconductor film 208 which is not covered by the conductive films 212 a and 212 b might be reduced. For example, a region where the oxide semiconductor film 208 c has a smaller thickness than the oxide semiconductor film 208 b is formed in some cases.

Next, the insulating films 214 and 216 are formed over the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b (see FIGS. 22C and 22D).

Note that after the insulating film 214 is formed, the insulating film 216 is preferably formed in succession without exposure to the air. After the insulating film 214 is formed, the insulating film 216 is formed in succession without exposure to the air while at least one of the flow rate of a source gas, pressure, a high-frequency power, and a substrate temperature is adjusted, whereby the concentration of impurities attributed to the atmospheric component at the interface between the insulating film 214 and the insulating film 216 can be reduced and oxygen in the insulating films 214 and 216 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208; accordingly, the amount of oxygen vacancies in the oxide semiconductor film 208 can be reduced.

As the insulating film 214, a silicon oxynitride film can be formed by a PECVD method, for example. In this case, a deposition gas containing silicon and an oxidizing gas are preferably used as a source gas. Typical examples of the deposition gas containing silicon include silane, disilane, trisilane, and silane fluoride. Examples of the oxidizing gas include dinitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. An insulating film containing nitrogen and having a small number of defects can be formed as the insulating film 214 by a PECVD method under the conditions where the flow rate of the oxidizing gas is higher than 20 times and lower than 100 times, preferably higher than or equal to 40 times and lower than or equal to 80 times, that of the deposition gas; and the pressure in a treatment chamber is lower than 100 Pa, preferably lower than or equal to 50 Pa.

In this embodiment, a silicon oxynitride film is formed as the insulating film 214 by a PECVD method under the conditions where the substrate 202 is held at a temperature of 220° C., silane at a flow rate of 50 sccm and dinitrogen monoxide at a flow rate of 2000 sccm are used as a source gas, the pressure in the treatment chamber is 20 Pa, and a high-frequency power of 100 W at 13.56 MHz (1.6 × 10⁻² W/cm² as the power density) is supplied to parallel-plate electrodes.

As the insulating film 216, a silicon oxide film or a silicon oxynitride film is formed under the following conditions: the substrate placed in a treatment chamber of the PECVD apparatus that is vacuum-evacuated is held at a temperature higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C.; the pressure is greater than or equal to 100 Pa and less than or equal to 250 Pa, preferably greater than or equal to 100 Pa and less than or equal to 200 Pa with introduction of a source gas into the treatment chamber; and a high-frequency power of greater than or equal to 0.17 W/cm² and less than or equal to 0.5 W/cm², preferably greater than or equal to 0.25 W/cm² and less than or equal to 0.35 W/cm² is supplied to an electrode provided in the treatment chamber.

As the deposition conditions of the insulating film 216, the high-frequency power having the above power density is supplied to a reaction chamber having the above pressure, whereby the degradation efficiency of the source gas in plasma is increased, oxygen radicals are increased, and oxidation of the source gas is promoted; thus, the oxygen content in the insulating film 216 becomes higher than that in the stoichiometric composition. In addition, in the film formed at a substrate temperature within the above temperature range, the bond between silicon and oxygen is weak, and accordingly, part of oxygen in the film is released by heat treatment in a later step. Thus, it is possible to form an oxide insulating film which contains oxygen at a higher proportion than the stoichiometric composition and from which part of oxygen is released by heating.

Note that the insulating film 214 functions as a protective film for the oxide semiconductor film 208 in the step of forming the insulating film 216. Therefore, the insulating film 216 can be formed using the high-frequency power having a high power density while damage to the oxide semiconductor film 208 is reduced.

Note that in the deposition conditions of the insulating film 216, when the flow rate of the deposition gas containing silicon with respect to the oxidizing gas is increased, the amount of defects in the insulating film 216 can be reduced. As a typical example, it is possible to form an oxide insulating layer in which the amount of defects is small, i.e., the spin density of a signal which appears at g = 2.001 originating from a dangling bond of silicon is lower than 6 × 10¹⁷ spins/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 3 × 10¹⁷ spins/cm³, further preferably lower than or equal to 1.5 × 10¹⁷ spins/cm³ by ESR measurement. As a result, the reliability of the transistor can be improved.

Heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as first heat treatment) is preferably performed after the insulating films 214 and 216 are formed. The first heat treatment can reduce nitrogen oxide contained in the insulating films 214 and 216. By the first heat treatment, part of oxygen contained in the insulating films 214 and 216 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208, so that the amount of oxygen vacancies included in the oxide semiconductor film 208 can be reduced.

The temperature of the first heat treatment is typically lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 150° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. The first heat treatment may be performed under an atmosphere of nitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air (air in which a water content is 20 ppm or less, preferably 1 ppm or less, further preferably 10 ppb or less), or a rare gas (argon, helium, and the like). Note that an electric furnace, a rapid thermal anneal (RTA) apparatus, or the like can be used for the first heat treatment, in which it is preferable that hydrogen, water, and the like not be contained in the nitrogen, oxygen, ultra-dry air, or a rare gas.

Next, a barrier film 230 is formed over the insulating film 216, and oxygen 240 is added to the insulating film 216, the insulating film 214, or the oxide semiconductor film 208 through the barrier film 230 (see FIGS. 22E and 22F).

In FIGS. 22E and 22F, oxygen added to the insulating film 214 or the insulating film 216 is schematically shown by arrows of broken lines.

The barrier film 230 allows oxygen to pass through and inhibits release of oxygen. The barrier film 230 includes, for example, oxygen and metal (at least one element selected from indium, zinc, titanium, aluminum, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, hafnium, and yttrium). In particular, the barrier film 230 preferably includes indium tin oxide (also referred to as ITO), indium tin silicon oxide (In—Sn—Si oxide; hereinafter also referred to as ITSO), or indium oxide because an uneven surface can be favorably covered with such a material. Alternatively, as the barrier film 230, the above-described oxide semiconductor film (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1, In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:2, In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:4, In:Ga:Zn = 1:3:6, or In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3, for example) may be used.

The barrier film 230 can be formed by a sputtering method. When the barrier film 230 is thin, oxygen release from the insulating film 216 to the outside is difficult to suppress in some cases. On the other hand, when the barrier film 230 is thick, oxygen cannot be favorably added to the insulating film 216 in some cases. Accordingly, the thickness of the barrier film 230 is preferably greater than or equal to 1 nm and less than or equal to 20 nm, or greater than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 10 nm. In this embodiment, the barrier film 230 is a 5-nm-thick ITSO film.

As examples of the method for adding the oxygen 240 to the insulating film 216 through the barrier film 230, there are an ion doping method, an ion implantation method, and a plasma treatment method. Depending on the apparatus or conditions for adding the oxygen 240, the oxygen 240 can be added to the insulating film 214 or the oxide semiconductor film 208 under the insulating film 216 in some cases. As the oxygen 240, excess oxygen, an oxygen radical, or the like can be used. The oxygen 240 can be effectively added to the insulating film 216 while a bias is applied to the substrate side. As the bias, for example, an ashing apparatus is used, and power density of the bias applied between a pair of electrodes included in the ashing apparatus can be greater than or equal to 1 W/cm² and less than or equal to 5 W/cm². By providing the barrier film 230 over the insulating film 216 and adding the oxygen 240, the barrier film 230 functions as a protective film for inhibiting release of oxygen from the insulating film 216. Thus, a larger amount of oxygen can be added to the insulating film 216.

After the oxygen 240 is added to the insulating film 216 through the barrier film 230, heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as second heat treatment) may be performed. The second heat treatment can be performed under conditions similar to those of the first heat treatment.

Next, the barrier film 230 is removed to expose a surface of the insulating film 216, and then, the insulating film 218 is formed over the insulating film 216 (see FIGS. 23A and 23B).

When the barrier film 230 is removed, part of the insulating film 216 is also removed in some cases. A method for removing the barrier film 230 is, for example, a dry etching method, a wet etching method, or a combination of a dry etching method and a wet etching method. In this embodiment, a wet etching method is used to remove the barrier film 230. A wet etching method is preferably used as the method for removing the barrier film 230 because of low manufacturing cost.

The insulating film 218 can be formed by a sputtering method or a PECVD method, for example. In the case where the insulating film 218 is formed by a PECVD method, for example, the substrate temperature is lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. The substrate temperature at which the insulating film 218 is formed is preferably within the above range because a dense film can be formed. Furthermore, when the substrate temperature at which the insulating film 218 is formed is within the above range, oxygen or excess oxygen in the insulating films 214 and 216 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208.

After the insulating film 218 is formed, heat treatment similar to the second heat treatment (hereinafter referred to as third heat treatment) may be performed. Through such heat treatment at lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. after the addition of the oxygen 240 to the insulating film 216, oxygen or excess oxygen in the insulating film 216 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208 (particularly, the oxide semiconductor film 208 b) and compensate oxygen vacancies in the oxide semiconductor film 208.

Oxygen moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208 is described with reference to FIGS. 24A and 24B. FIGS. 24A and 24B are model diagrams illustrating oxygen moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208 due to the substrate temperature at the time of forming the insulating film 218 (typically, lower than 375° C.) or the third heat treatment after the formation of the insulating film 218 (typically, lower than 375° C.). In FIGS. 24A and 24B, oxygen (oxygen radicals, oxygen atoms, or oxygen molecules) moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208 is shown by arrows of broken lines.

In the oxide semiconductor film 208 in FIGS. 24A and 24B, oxygen vacancies are compensated with oxygen moved from films in contact with the oxide semiconductor film 208 (here, the insulating film 207 and the insulating film 214). Specifically, in the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention, the insulating film 207 includes an oxygen-excess region because an oxygen gas is used at the time of forming the oxide semiconductor film 208 by sputtering and oxygen is added to the insulating film 207. Since oxygen is added through the barrier film 230, the insulating films 214 and 216 also include an oxygen-excess region. In the oxide semiconductor film 208 between the insulating films including the oxygen-excess regions, oxygen vacancies can be favorably compensated.

Furthermore, the insulating film 206 is provided under the insulating film 207, and the insulating film 218 is provided over the insulating films 214 and 216. When the insulating films 206 and 218 are formed using a material having low oxygen permeability, e.g., silicon nitride, oxygen contained in the insulating films 207, 214, and 216 can be confined to the oxide semiconductor film 208 side; thus, oxygen can be favorably moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208.

In the case where a silicon nitride film is formed by a PECVD method as the insulating film 218, a deposition gas containing silicon, nitrogen, and ammonia are preferably used as a source gas. As the source gas, a small amount of ammonia compared to the amount of nitrogen is used, whereby ammonia is dissociated in the plasma and activated species are generated. The activated species cleave a bond between silicon and hydrogen which are contained in a deposition gas containing silicon and a triple bond between nitrogen molecules. As a result, a dense silicon nitride film having few defects, in which bonds between silicon and nitrogen are promoted and bonds between silicon and hydrogen are few, can be formed. On the other hand, when the amount of ammonia with respect to nitrogen is large, decomposition of a deposition gas containing silicon and decomposition of nitrogen are not promoted, so that a sparse silicon nitride film in which bonds between silicon and hydrogen remain and defects are increased is formed. Therefore, in a source gas, the flow rate of the nitrogen is set to be preferably 5 times or more and 50 times or less, more preferably 10 times or more and 50 times or less the flow rate of the ammonia.

In this embodiment, with the use of a PECVD apparatus, a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film is formed as the insulating film 218 using silane, nitrogen, and ammonia as a source gas. The flow rate of silane is 50 sccm, the flow rate of nitrogen is 5000 sccm, and the flow rate of ammonia is 100 sccm. The pressure in the treatment chamber is 100 Pa, the substrate temperature is 350° C., and high-frequency power of 1000 W is supplied to parallel-plate electrodes with a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power source. Note that the PECVD apparatus is a parallel-plate PECVD apparatus in which the electrode area is 6000 cm², and the power per unit area (power density) into which the supplied power is converted is 1.7 × 10⁻¹ W/cm².

Next, a mask is formed over the insulating film 218 through a lithography process, and the opening 252 c is formed in a desired region in the insulating films 214, 216, and 218. In addition, a mask is formed over the insulating film 218 through a lithography process, and the openings 252 a and 252 b are formed in desired regions in the insulating films 206, 207, 214, 216, and 218. Note that the opening 252 c reaches the conductive film 212 b. The openings 252 a and 252 b reach the conductive film 204 (see FIGS. 23C and 23D).

Note that the openings 252 a and 252 b and the opening 252 c may be formed in the same step or may be formed by different steps. In the case where the openings 252 a and 252 b and the opening 252 c are formed in the same step, for example, a gray-tone mask or a half-tone mask can be used. Moreover, the openings 252 a and 252 b may be formed in some steps. For example, openings are formed in the insulating films 206 and 207 in advance, and then, openings are formed in the insulating films 214, 216, and 218 over the openings.

Next, a conductive film is formed over the insulating film 218 to cover the openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c and processed into desired shapes, so that the conductive films 220 a and 220 b are formed (see FIGS. 23E and 23F).

For the conductive film to be the conductive films 220 a and 220 b, for example, a material including one of indium (In), zinc (Zn), and tin (Sn) can be used. In particular, for the conductive films 220 a and 220 b, a light-transmitting conductive material such as indium oxide including tungsten oxide, indium zinc oxide including tungsten oxide, indium oxide including titanium oxide, indium tin oxide including titanium oxide, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide, or indium tin silicon oxide (ITSO) can be used. Moreover, the conductive film to be the conductive films 220 a and 220 b can be formed by a sputtering method, for example. In this embodiment, a 110-nm-thick ITSO film is formed by a sputtering method.

Through the above process, the transistor 270B illustrated in FIGS. 18C and 18D can be manufactured.

In the entire manufacturing process of the transistor 270B, the substrate temperature is preferably lower than 400° C., further preferably lower than 375° C., still further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C. because the change in shape of the substrate (distortion or warp) can be reduced even when a large-sized substrate is used. In the manufacturing process of the transistor 270B, the substrate is heated at the following temperatures: the temperature in the formation of the insulating films 206 and 207 (lower than 400° C., preferably higher than or equal to 250° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C.), the temperature in the formation of the oxide semiconductor film 208 (higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 340° C., preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than 150° C.), the temperature in the formation of the insulating films 216 and 218 (lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C.), the temperature in the first heat treatment or the second heat treatment after the addition of the oxygen 240 (lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C.), and the like.

The structure and method described in this embodiment can be implemented by being combined as appropriate with any of the other structures and methods described in the other embodiments.

Method 2 for Manufacturing Semiconductor Device

A manufacturing method different from [Method 1 for manufacturing semiconductor device] is described below.

First, steps up to the step illustrated in FIGS. 22C and 22D are performed in a similar manner to that of [Method 1 for manufacturing semiconductor device]. Next, the barrier film 230 is formed as illustrated in FIGS. 22E and 22F, and the oxygen 240 is not added. Then, the step illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B is not performed, and the steps illustrated in FIGS. 23C and 23D and FIGS. 23E and 23F are performed.

In this case, for the barrier film 230, a material having a high insulating property is selected from the above materials. For the barrier film 230 used in this manufacturing method, aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, or yttrium oxide is preferably used.

When the barrier film 230 is formed by a sputtering method using aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, or yttrium oxide, the sputtering gas preferably contains at least oxygen. Oxygen used for the sputtering gas in the formation of the barrier film 230 becomes oxygen radicals in plasma, and the oxygen and/or the oxygen radicals are added to the insulating film 216 in some cases. Therefore, the step of adding the oxygen 240 illustrated in FIGS. 22E and 22F is not necessarily performed. In other words, oxygen adding treatment and the formation of the barrier film 230 can be performed at the same time. While the barrier film 230 has a function of adding oxygen in the formation of the barrier film 230 (particularly in an early stage of the formation), the barrier film 230 has a function of blocking oxygen after the formation of the barrier film 230 (particularly in a later stage of the formation).

In the case where the barrier film 230 is formed by a sputtering method using aluminum oxide, for example, a mixed layer might be formed in the vicinity of the interface between the insulating film 216 and the barrier film 230. For example, when the insulating film 216 is a silicon oxynitride film, an Al_(x)Si_(y)O_(z) layer might be formed as the mixed layer. The mixed layer may include an oxygen-excess region.

When the barrier film 230 is formed using aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, or yttrium oxide, which have a high insulating property and a high oxygen barrier property, the step of forming the insulating film 218 illustrated in FIGS. 23A and 23B is not necessarily performed. It may be possible not to remove the barrier film 230 and use it instead of the insulating film 218.

When the substrate temperature in the formation of the barrier film 230 is lower than 400° C., preferably lower than 375° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 180° C. and lower than or equal to 350° C., oxygen or excess oxygen added to the insulating film 216 can be moved to the oxide semiconductor film 208.

By using aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, or yttrium oxide for the barrier film 230 as described above, the number of manufacturing steps of the semiconductor device can be reduced, which leads to low manufacturing cost.

Method 3 for Manufacturing Semiconductor Device

Next, a method for manufacturing the transistor 250 that is a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention, which is illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15C, is described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25F and FIGS. 26A to 26F. FIGS. 25A to 25F and FIGS. 26A to 26F are cross-sectional views illustrating a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. FIGS. 25A, 25C, and 25E and FIGS. 26A, 26C, and 26E are cross-sectional views in the channel length direction, and FIGS. 25B, 25D, and 25F and FIGS. 26B, 26D, and 26F are cross-sectional views in the channel width direction.

First, the conductive film 204, the insulating films 206 and 207, the oxide semiconductor film 208, the insulating films 214 and 216, and the barrier film 230 are formed over the substrate 202 (see FIGS. 25A and 25B).

The description of [Method 1 for manufacturing semiconductor device] can be referred to for the conductive film 204, the insulating films 206 and 207, the oxide semiconductor film 208, the insulating films 214 and 216, and the barrier film 230.

Next, the oxygen 240 is added to the insulating film 214 through the barrier film 230 (see FIGS. 25C and 25D).

Next, the barrier film 230 is removed. Then, a mask is formed over the insulating film 214 through a lithography process, and the openings 251 a and 251 b are formed in desired regions in the insulating films 214 and 216. Note that the openings 251 a and 251 b reach the oxide semiconductor film 208 (see FIGS. 25E and 25F).

Next, the conductive film 212 is formed over the insulating film 214 to cover the openings 251 a and 251 b (see FIGS. 26A and 26B).

Next, a mask is formed over the conductive film 212 through a lithography process, and the conductive film is processed into desired shapes, so that the conductive films 212 a and 212 b are formed (see FIGS. 26C and 26D).

Next, the insulating film 218 is formed over the insulating film 214 and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b (see FIGS. 26E and 26F).

Through the above process, the transistor 250 illustrated in FIGS. 15A to 15C can be manufactured.

Note that the transistor 260 in FIGS. 16A to 16C can be manufactured in such a manner that the insulating films 214 and 216 are left only over a channel region of the oxide semiconductor film 208 at the step of forming the openings 251 a and 251 b.

The structure and method described in this embodiment can be implemented by being combined as appropriate with any of the other structures and methods described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 3

In this embodiment, a sputtering apparatus and a deposition apparatus by which the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention can be formed are described with reference to FIGS. 27A and 27B, FIGS. 28A and 28B, FIGS. 29A to 29C, FIG. 30 , FIG. 31 , FIGS. 32A and 32B, FIG. 33 , and FIGS. 34A to 34C. In the sputtering apparatus described below, a substrate, a target, and the like are provided to illustrate operation in the film formation. Note that since a substrate, a target, and the like are objects that a practitioner places as appropriate, the sputtering apparatus does not include a substrate and a target in some cases.

3-1. Sputtering Apparatus

Examples of a sputtering apparatus include a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus and a facing-targets sputtering apparatus. Deposition using the parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus can also be referred to as parallel electrode sputtering (PESP). Deposition using the facing-targets sputtering apparatus can also be referred to as vapor deposition sputtering (VDSP).

Parallel-Plate-Type Sputtering Apparatus (PESP)

First, the parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus is described. FIG. 27A is a cross-sectional view of a deposition chamber 301 of a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus. The deposition chamber 301 in FIG. 27A includes a target holder 320, a backing plate 310, a target 300, a magnet unit 330, and a substrate holder 370. Note that the target 300 is placed over the backing plate 310. The backing plate 310 is placed over the target holder 320. The magnet unit 330 is placed under the target 300 with the backing plate 310 positioned therebetween. The substrate holder 370 faces the target 300. Note that in this specification, a magnet unit means a group of magnets. The magnet unit can be replaced with “cathode”, “cathode magnet”, “magnetic member”, “magnetic part”, or the like. The magnet unit 330 includes a magnet 330N, a magnet 330S, and a magnet holder 332. Note that in the magnet unit 330, the magnet 330N and the magnet 330S are placed over the magnet holder 332. The magnet 330N and the magnet 330S are spaced. When a substrate 360 is transferred into the deposition chamber 301, the substrate 360 is placed in contact with the substrate holder 370.

The target holder 320 and the backing plate 310 are fixed to each other with a bolt and have the same potential. The target holder 320 has a function of supporting the target 300 with the backing plate 310 positioned therebetween.

The target 300 is fixed to the backing plate 310. For example, the target 300 can be fixed to the backing plate 310 with a bonding member containing a low-melting-point metal such as indium.

FIG. 27A illustrates a magnetic line of force 380 a and a magnetic line of force 380 b formed by the magnet unit 330.

The magnetic line of force 380 a is one of magnetic lines of force that form a horizontal magnetic field in the vicinity of the target 300. The vicinity of the target 300 corresponds to a region in which the vertical distance from the top surface of the target 300 is, for example, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm, in particular, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm.

The magnetic line of force 380 b is one of magnetic lines of force that form a horizontal magnetic field in a plane apart from the top surface of the magnet unit 330 by a vertical distance d. The vertical distance d is, for example, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm or greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm.

Here, with the use of the strong magnet 330N and the strong magnet 330S, an intense magnetic field can be generated in the vicinity of the substrate 360. Specifically, the magnetic flux density of the horizontal magnetic field in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can be greater than or equal to 10 G and less than or equal to 100 G, preferably greater than or equal to 15 G and less than or equal to 60 G, further preferably greater than or equal to 20 G and less than or equal to 40 G.

Note that the magnetic flux density of the horizontal magnetic field may be measured when the magnetic flux density of the vertical magnetic field is 0 G.

By setting the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field in the deposition chamber 301 to be in the above range, an oxide semiconductor film with high density and high crystallinity can be deposited. The deposited oxide semiconductor film hardly includes plural kinds of crystal phases and has a substantially-single crystalline phase.

FIG. 27B is a top view of the magnet unit 330. In the magnet unit 330, the circular or substantially circular magnet 330N and the circular or substantially circular magnet 330S are fixed to the magnet holder 332. The magnet unit 330 can be rotated about a normal vector at the center of the top surface of the magnet unit 330 or a normal vector substantially at the center of the top surface of the magnet unit 330. For example, the magnet unit 330 may be rotated with a beat (also referred to as rhythm, pulse, frequency, period, cycle, or the like) of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz.

Thus, a region where a magnetic field on the target 300 is intense changes as the magnet unit 330 is rotated. The region with an intense magnetic field is a high-density plasma region; thus, sputtering of the target 300 easily occurs in the vicinity of the region. For example, when the region with an intense magnetic field is fixed, only a specific region of the target 300 is used. In contrast, when the magnet unit 330 is rotated as shown in FIG. 27B, the target 300 can be uniformly used. By rotating the magnet unit 330, a film with a uniform thickness and a film with uniform quality can be deposited.

By rotating the magnet unit 330, the direction of the magnetic line of force in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can also be changed.

Although the magnet unit 330 is rotated in this example, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the magnet unit 330 may be oscillated vertically or horizontally. For example, the magnet unit 330 may be oscillated with a beat of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz. Alternatively, the target 300 may be rotated or moved. For example, the target 300 may be rotated or moved with a beat of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz. Further alternatively, the direction of a magnetic line of force in the vicinity of the substrate 360 may be changed relatively by rotating the substrate 360. These methods may be combined.

The deposition chamber 301 may have a groove portion inside or under the backing plate 310. By making fluid (air, nitrogen, a rare gas, water, oil, or the like) flow through the groove portion, discharge anomaly due to an increase in the temperature of the target 300 or damage to the deposition chamber 301 due to deformation of a component can be prevented in the sputtering. In that case, the backing plate 310 and the target 300 are preferably adhered to each other with a bonding member because the cooling capability is increased.

A gasket is preferably provided between the target holder 320 and the backing plate 310, in which case an impurity is less likely to enter the deposition chamber 301 from the outside or the groove portion.

In the magnet unit 330, the magnet 330N and the magnet 330S are placed such that their surfaces on the target 300 side have opposite polarities. Here, the case where the pole of the magnet 330N on the target 300 side is the north pole and the pole of the magnet 330S on the target 300 side is the south pole is described. Note that the layout of the magnets and the poles in the magnet unit 330 are not limited to those described here or those illustrated in FIG. 27A.

In the deposition, a potential V1 applied to a terminal V1 connected to the target holder 320 is, for example, lower than a potential V2 applied to a terminal V2 connected to the substrate holder 370. The potential V2 applied to the terminal V2 connected to the substrate holder 370 is, for example, the ground potential. A potential V3 applied to a terminal V3 connected to the magnet holder 332 is, for example, the ground potential. Note that the potentials applied to the terminals V1, V2, and V3 are not limited to the above description. Not all the target holder 320, the substrate holder 370, and the magnet holder 332 are necessarily supplied with potentials. For example, the substrate holder 370 may be electrically floating. Note that although the potential V1 is applied to the terminal V1 connected to the target holder 320 (i.e., a DC sputtering method is employed) in the example illustrated in FIG. 27A, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, it is possible to employ what is called an RF sputtering method, in which case a high-frequency power supply with a frequency of 13.56 MHz or 27.12 MHz, for example, is connected to the target holder 320.

FIG. 27A illustrates an example where the backing plate 310 and the target holder 320 are not electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 and the magnet holder 332, but electrical connection is not limited thereto. For example, the backing plate 310 and the target holder 320 may be electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 and the magnet holder 332, and the backing plate 310, the target holder 320, the magnet unit 330, and the magnet holder 332 may have the same potential.

To increase the crystallinity of the formed oxide semiconductor film, the temperature of the substrate 360 may be set high. By setting the temperature of the substrate 360 high, migration of sputtered particles in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can be promoted. Thus, an oxide semiconductor film with higher density and higher crystallinity can be deposited. Note that the temperature of the substrate 360 is, for example, higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 340° C., preferably higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 300° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 250° C., still further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C.

The vertical distance between the target 300 and the substrate 360 is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 600 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 400 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm, further more preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 and the substrate 360 is small enough to suppress a decrease in the energy of the sputtered particles until the sputtered particles reach the substrate 360 in some cases. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 and the substrate 360 is large enough to make the incident direction of the sputtered particle approximately vertical to the substrate 360, so that damage to the substrate 360 caused by collision of the sputtered particles can be reduced in some cases.

FIG. 28A illustrates an example of a deposition chamber different from that in FIG. 27A.

The deposition chamber 301 in FIG. 28A includes a target holder 320 a, a target holder 320 b, a backing plate 310 a, a backing plate 310 b, a target 300 a, a target 300 b, a magnet unit 330 a, a magnet unit 330 b, a member 342, and the substrate holder 370. Note that the target 300 a is placed over the backing plate 310 a. The backing plate 310 a is placed over the target holder 320 a. The magnet unit 330 a is placed under the target 300 a with the backing plate 310 a positioned therebetween. The target 300 b is placed over the backing plate 310 b. The backing plate 310 b is placed over the target holder 320 b. The magnet unit 330 b is placed under the target 300 b with the backing plate 310 b positioned therebetween.

The magnet unit 330 a includes a magnet 330N1, a magnet 330N2, the magnet 330S, and the magnet holder 332. Note that in the magnet unit 330 a, the magnet 330N1, the magnet 330N2, and the magnet 330S are placed over the magnet holder 332. The magnet 330N1, the magnet 330N2, and the magnet 330S are spaced. Note that the magnet unit 330 b has a structure similar to that of the magnet unit 330 a. When the substrate 360 is transferred into the deposition chamber 301, the substrate 360 is placed in contact with the substrate holder 370.

The target 300 a, the backing plate 310 a, and the target holder 320 a are separated from the target 300 b, the backing plate 310 b, and the target holder 320 b by the member 342. Note that the member 342 is preferably an insulator. The member 342 may be a conductor or a semiconductor. The member 342 may be a conductor or a semiconductor whose surface is covered with an insulator.

The target holder 320 a and the backing plate 310 a are fixed to each other with a bolt and have the same potential. The target holder 320 a has a function of supporting the target 300 a with the backing plate 310 a positioned therebetween. The target holder 320 b and the backing plate 310 b are fixed to each other with a bolt and have the same potential. The target holder 320 b has a function of supporting the target 300 b with the backing plate 310 b positioned therebetween.

The backing plate 310 a has a function of fixing the target 300 a. The backing plate 310 b has a function of fixing the target 300 b.

FIG. 28A illustrates the magnetic line of force 380 a and the magnetic line of force 380 b formed by the magnet unit 330 a.

The magnetic line of force 380 a is one of magnetic lines of force that form a horizontal magnetic field in the vicinity of the target 300 a. The vicinity of the target 300 a corresponds to a region in which the vertical distance from the target 300 a is, for example, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 10 mm, in particular, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 5 mm.

The magnetic line of force 380 b is one of magnetic lines of force that form a horizontal magnetic field in a plane apart from the top surface of the magnet unit 330 a by a vertical distance d. The vertical distance d is, for example, greater than or equal to 0 mm and less than or equal to 20 mm or greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 15 mm.

Here, with the use of the strong magnet 330N1, the strong magnet 330N2, and the strong magnet 330S, an intense magnetic field can be generated in the vicinity of the substrate 360. Specifically, the magnetic flux density of the horizontal magnetic field in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can be greater than or equal to 10 G and less than or equal to 100 G, preferably greater than or equal to 15 G and less than or equal to 60 G, further preferably greater than or equal to 20 G and less than or equal to 40 G.

By setting the magnetic flux density of the magnetic field in the deposition chamber 301 to be in the above range, an oxide semiconductor film with high density and high crystallinity can be deposited. The deposited oxide semiconductor film hardly includes plural kinds of crystal phases and has a substantially-single crystalline phase.

Note that the magnet unit 330 b forms a magnetic line of force similar to that formed by the magnet unit 330 a.

FIG. 28B is a top view of the magnet units 330 a and 330 b. In the magnet unit 330 a, the rectangular or substantially rectangular magnet 330N1, the rectangular or substantially rectangular magnet 330N2, and the rectangular or substantially rectangular magnet 330S are fixed to the magnet holder 332. The magnet unit 330 a can be oscillated horizontally as shown in FIG. 28B. For example, the magnet unit 330 a may be oscillated with a beat of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz.

Thus, a region where a magnetic field on the target 300 a is intense changes as the magnet unit 330 a is oscillated. The region with an intense magnetic field is a high-density plasma region; thus, sputtering of the target 300 a easily occurs in the vicinity of the region. For example, when the region with an intense magnetic field is fixed, only a specific region of the target 300 a is used. In contrast, when the magnet unit 330 a is oscillated as shown in FIG. 28B, the target 300 a can be uniformly used. By oscillating the magnet unit 330 a, a film with a uniform thickness and a film with uniform quality can be deposited.

By oscillating the magnet unit 330 a, the state of the magnetic line of force in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can also be changed. The same applies to the magnet unit 330b.

Although the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet unit 330 b are oscillated in this example, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet unit 330 b may be rotated. For example, the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet unit 330 b may be rotated with a beat of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz. Alternatively, the target 300 may be rotated or moved. For example, the target 300 may be rotated or moved with a beat of greater than or equal to 0.1 Hz and less than or equal to 1 kHz. Further alternatively, the state of a magnetic line of force on the top surface of the substrate 360 may be changed relatively by rotating the substrate 360. These methods may be combined.

The deposition chamber 301 may have a groove portion inside or under the backing plate 310 a and the backing plate 310 b. By making fluid (air, nitrogen, a rare gas, water, oil, or the like) flow through the groove portion, discharge anomaly due to an increase in the temperature of the target 300 a and the target 300 b or damage to the deposition chamber 301 due to deformation of a component can be prevented in the sputtering. In that case, the backing plate 310 a and the target 300 a are preferably adhered to each other with a bonding member because the cooling capability is increased. Furthermore, the backing plate 310 b and the target 300 b are preferably adhered to each other with a bonding member because the cooling capability is increased.

A gasket is preferably provided between the target holder 320 a and the backing plate 310 a, in which case an impurity is less likely to enter the deposition chamber 301 from the outside or the groove portion. A gasket is preferably provided between the target holder 320 b and the backing plate 310 b, in which case an impurity is less likely to enter the deposition chamber 301 from the outside or the groove portion.

In the magnet unit 330 a, the magnets 330N1 and 330N2 and the magnet 330S are placed such that their surfaces on the target 300 a side have opposite polarities. Here, the case where the pole of each of the magnets 330N1 and 330N2 on the target 300 a side is the north pole and the pole of the magnet 330S on the target 300 a side is the south pole is described. Note that the layout of the magnets and the poles in the magnet unit 330 a are not limited to those described here or those illustrated in FIG. 28A. The same applies to the magnet unit 330 b.

In the deposition, a potential whose level is varied between a high level and a low level is applied to the terminal V1 connected to the target holder 320 a and a terminal V4 connected to the target holder 320 b. The potential V2 applied to the terminal V2 connected to the substrate holder 370 is, for example, the ground potential. A potential V3 applied to the terminal V3 connected to the magnet holder 332 is, for example, the ground potential. Note that the potentials applied to the terminals V1, V2, V3, and V4 are not limited to the above description. Not all the target holder 320 a, the target holder 320 b, the substrate holder 370, and the magnet holder 332 are necessarily supplied with potentials. For example, the substrate holder 370 may be electrically floating. Note that the potential whose level is varied between the high level and the low level is applied to the terminal V1 connected to the target holder 320 a and the terminal V4 connected to the target holder 320 b (i.e., an AC sputtering method is employed) in the example illustrated in FIG. 28A; however, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 28A illustrates an example where the backing plate 310 a and the target holder 320 a are not electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet holder 332, but electrical connection is not limited thereto. For example, the backing plate 310 a and the target holder 320 a may be electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet holder 332, and the backing plate 310 a, the target holder 320 a, the magnet unit 330 a, and the magnet holder 332 may have the same potential. The backing plate 310 b and the target holder 320 b are not electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 b and the magnet holder 332 in the example, but electrical connection is not limited thereto. For example, the backing plate 310 a and the target holder 320 b may be electrically connected to the magnet unit 330 b and the magnet holder 332, and the backing plate 310 a, the target holder 320 b, the magnet unit 330 b, and the magnet holder 332 may have the same potential.

To increase the crystallinity of the formed oxide semiconductor film, the temperature of the substrate 360 may be set high. By setting the temperature of the substrate 360 high, migration of sputtered particles in the vicinity of the substrate 360 can be promoted. Thus, an oxide semiconductor film with higher density and higher crystallinity can be deposited. Note that the temperature of the substrate 360 is, for example, higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 340° C., preferably higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 300° C., further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 250° C., still further preferably higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C.

The vertical distance between the target 300 a and the substrate 360 is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 600 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 400 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm, further more preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 a and the substrate 360 is small enough to suppress a decrease in the energy of the sputtered particles until the sputtered particles reach the substrate 360 in some cases. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 a and the substrate 360 is large enough to make the incident direction of the sputtered particle approximately vertical to the substrate 360, so that damage to the substrate 360 caused by collision of the sputtered particles can be reduced in some cases.

The vertical distance between the target 300 b and the substrate 360 is greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 600 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 20 mm and less than or equal to 400 mm, more preferably greater than or equal to 30 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm, further more preferably greater than or equal to 40 mm and less than or equal to 100 mm. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 b and the substrate 360 is small enough to suppress a decrease in the energy of the sputtered particles until the sputtered particles reach the substrate 360 in some cases. Within the above range, the vertical distance between the target 300 b and the substrate 360 is large enough to make the incident direction of the sputtered particle approximately vertical to the substrate 360, so that damage to the substrate 360 caused by collision of the sputtered particles can be reduced in some cases.

Facing-Targets Sputtering Apparatus (VDSP)

Next, the facing-targets sputtering apparatus is described. FIG. 29A is a cross-sectional view of a deposition chamber of a facing-targets sputtering apparatus. The deposition chamber illustrated in FIG. 29A includes the target 300 a, the target 300 b, the backing plate 310 a for holding the target 300 a, the backing plate 310 b for holding the target 300 b, the magnet unit 330 a placed behind the target 300 a with the backing plate 310 a positioned therebetween, and the magnet unit 330 b placed behind the target 300 b with the backing plate 310 b positioned therebetween. The substrate holder 370 is placed between the target 300 a and the target 300 b. The substrate 360 is transferred into the deposition chamber, and then the substrate 360 is fixed to the substrate holder 370.

As illustrated in FIG. 29A, a power source 390 and a power source 391 for applying potentials are connected to the backing plates 310 a and 310 b. It is preferable to use AC power sources, which inversely apply alternate high and low potentials, as the power source 390 connected to the backing plate 310 a and the power source 391 connected to the backing plate 310 b. Although AC power sources are used as the power sources 390 and 391 illustrated in FIG. 29A, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, RF power sources, DC power sources, or the like can be used as the power sources 390 and 391. Alternatively, different kinds of power sources may be used as the power sources 390 and 391.

The substrate holder 370 is preferably connected to GND. The substrate holder 370 may be in a floating state.

FIGS. 29B and 29C each show potential distribution of plasma 340 along dashed-dotted line A-B in FIG. 29A. FIG. 29B shows the potential distribution in the case where a high potential is applied to the backing plate 310 a and a low potential is applied to the backing plate 310 b. In that case, a cation is accelerated toward the target 300 b. FIG. 29C shows the potential distribution in the case where a low potential is applied to the backing plate 310 a and a high potential is applied to the backing plate 310 b. In that case, a cation is accelerated toward the target 300 a. To form the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention, the state in FIG. 29B and the state in FIG. 29C are alternated.

The oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably formed while the plasma 340 completely reaches the surface of the substrate 360. For example, the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are preferably placed in the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 29A. It is particularly preferable that the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 be placed in a positive column of the plasma 340. The positive column of the plasma 340 is, in each of FIGS. 29B and 29C, a region around the midpoint of A and B where the gradient of the potential distribution is small. When the substrate 360 is placed in the positive column of the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 29A, the substrate 360 is not exposed to a high electric field portion in the plasma 340; thus, damage to the substrate 360 due to the plasma 340 can be reduced and defects can be reduced.

It is preferable to place the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 in the plasma 340 during deposition as illustrated in FIG. 29A also because utilization efficiencies of the targets 300 a and 300 b are increased.

As illustrated in FIG. 29A, the horizontal distance between the substrate holder 370 and the target 300 a is referred to as L1 and the horizontal distance between the substrate holder 370 and the target 300 b is referred to as L2. The distance L1 and the distance L2 are each preferably as long as the length of the substrate 360 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 29A. In addition, it is preferable that the distances L1 and L2 be adjusted as appropriate so that the substrate 360 is placed in the positive column of the plasma 340 as described above. The distances L1 and L2 can each be, for example, greater than or equal to 10 mm and less than or equal to 200 mm.

In FIG. 29A, the target 300 a and the target 300 b are parallel to each other. Moreover, the magnet unit 330 a and the magnet unit 330 b are placed so that opposite poles face each other. Magnetic lines of force run from the magnet unit 330 b to the magnet unit 330 a. Therefore, in the deposition, the plasma 340 is confined in the magnetic field formed by the magnet units 330 a and 330 b. The substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are placed in a region where the target 300 a and the target 300 b face each other (also referred to as a region between targets). Note that although the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are placed parallel to the direction in which the target 300 a and the target 300 b face each other in FIG. 29A, the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 may be inclined to the direction. By inclination of the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 at 30° or more and 60° or less (typified by 45°), for example, the proportion of sputtered particles that perpendicularly reach the substrate 360 during deposition can be increased.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 30 is different from that illustrated in FIG. 29A in that the target 300 a and the target 300 b that face each other are not parallel but inclined to each other (in V-shape). Thus, the description for FIG. 29A is referred to for the description except for the positions of the targets. The magnet unit 330 a and the magnet unit 330 b are placed so that opposite poles face each other. The substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are placed in the region between targets. With the targets 300 a and 300 b placed as illustrated in FIG. 30 , the proportion of sputtered particles that reach the substrate 360 can be increased; accordingly, the deposition rate can be increased.

The positions of the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are not limited to in the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 29A. The substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 may be placed outside the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 31 , for example. In that case, the substrate 360 is not exposed to a high electric field region of the plasma 340, leading to a reduction in damage due to the plasma 340. Note that the utilization efficiencies of the targets 300 a and 300 b are decreased as the distance between the plasma 340 and the substrate 360 is increased. It is preferable that the position of the substrate holder 370 be adjustable as illustrated in FIG. 31 .

The substrate holder 370 may be placed either above or below the region between targets. Alternatively, the substrate holders 370 may be placed above and below the region. When the substrate holders 370 are provided above and below the region, deposition on two or more substrates can be performed at once, leading to an increase in productivity.

The facing-targets sputtering apparatus can stably generate plasma even in a high vacuum. Thus, deposition can be performed at a pressure higher than or equal to 0.005 Pa and lower than or equal to 0.09 Pa, for example. As a result, the concentration of impurities contained during deposition can be reduced.

The use of the facing-targets sputtering apparatus allows deposition in a high vacuum or deposition with less plasma damage and thus can provide a film with high crystallinity even when the temperature of the substrate 360 is low (e.g., higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than 100° C.).

FIG. 32A illustrates another example of a facing-targets sputtering apparatus.

FIG. 32A is a schematic cross-sectional view of a deposition chamber of a facing-targets sputtering apparatus. Unlike in the deposition chamber illustrated in FIG. 29A, a target shield 322 and a target shield 323 are provided. The power source 391 connected to the backing plates 310 a and 310 b is also provided.

The target shields 322 and 323 are connected to GND as illustrated in FIG. 32A. This means that the plasma 340 is generated by a potential difference between the backing plates 310 a and 310 b to which a potential of the power source 391 is applied and the target shields 322 and 323 to which GND is applied.

The oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention is preferably formed while the plasma 340 completely reaches the surface of the substrate 360. For example, the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are preferably placed in the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 32A. It is particularly preferable that the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 be placed in a positive column of the plasma 340. The positive column of the plasma is a region where the gradient of the potential distribution is small. When the substrate 360 is placed in the positive column of the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 32A, the substrate 360 is not exposed to a high electric field portion in the plasma 340; thus, damage to the substrate 360 due to the plasma 340 can be reduced and an oxide with a favorable film quality can be obtained.

It is preferable to place the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 in the plasma 340 during deposition as illustrated in FIG. 32A also because utilization efficiencies of the targets 300 a and 300 b are increased.

As illustrated in FIG. 32A, the horizontal distance between the substrate holder 370 and the target 300 a is referred to as L1 and the horizontal distance between the substrate holder 370 and the target 300 b is referred to as L2. The distance L1 and the distance L2 are each preferably as long as the length of the substrate 360 in the horizontal direction in FIG. 32A. In addition, it is preferable that the distances L1 and L2 be adjusted as appropriate so that the substrate 360 is placed in the positive column of the plasma 340 as described above.

The positions of the substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 are not limited to in the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 32A. The substrate holder 370 and the substrate 360 may be placed outside the plasma 340 as illustrated in FIG. 32B, for example. In that case, the substrate 360 is not exposed to a high electric field region of the plasma 340, leading to a reduction in damage due to the plasma 340. Note that the utilization efficiencies of the targets 300 a and 300 b are decreased as the distance between the plasma 340 and the substrate 360 are increased. It is preferable that the position of the substrate holder 370 be adjustable as in FIG. 32B.

The substrate holder 370 may be placed above a region between targets as illustrated in FIG. 32B, or may be placed below the region. Alternatively, the substrate holders 370 may be placed above and below the region. Providing the substrate holders 370 above and below the region allows deposition on two or more substrates at once, leading to an increase in productivity.

In the above-described facing-targets sputtering apparatuses, plasma is confined by magnetic fields between targets; thus, plasma damage to a substrate can be reduced. Furthermore, a deposited film can have improved step coverage because an incident angle of a sputtered particle to a substrate can be made smaller by the inclination of the target. Moreover, deposition in a high vacuum enables the concentration of impurities contained in the film to be reduced.

Note that a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus or an ion beam sputtering apparatus may be provided in the deposition chamber.

3-2. Deposition Apparatus

A deposition apparatus including a deposition chamber with which the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention can be formed is described below.

First, a structure of a deposition apparatus which allows the entry of few impurities into a film at the time of the deposition or the like is described with reference to FIG. 33 and FIGS. 34A to 34C.

FIG. 33 is a top view schematically illustrating a single wafer multi-chamber deposition apparatus 2700. The deposition apparatus 2700 includes an atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701 including a cassette port 2761 for holding a substrate and an alignment port 2762 for performing alignment of a substrate, an atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 through which a substrate is transferred from the atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701, a load lock chamber 2703 a where a substrate is carried and the pressure inside the chamber is switched from atmospheric pressure to reduced pressure or from reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure, an unload lock chamber 2703 b where a substrate is carried out and the pressure inside the chamber is switched from reduced pressure to atmospheric pressure or from atmospheric pressure to reduced pressure, a transfer chamber 2704 through which a substrate is transferred in a vacuum, a substrate heating chamber 2705 where a substrate is heated, and deposition chambers 2706 a, 2706 b, and 2706 c in each of which a target is placed for deposition. Note that for the deposition chambers 2706 a, 2706 b, and 2706 c, the structure of the deposition chamber described above can be referred to.

The atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 is connected to the load lock chamber 2703 a and the unload lock chamber 2703 b, the load lock chamber 2703 a and the unload lock chamber 2703 b are connected to the transfer chamber 2704, and the transfer chamber 2704 is connected to the substrate heating chamber 2705 and the deposition chambers 2706 a, 2706 b, and 2706 c.

Gate valves 2764 are provided for connecting portions between chambers so that each chamber except the atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701 and the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 can be independently kept under vacuum. Moreover, the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 and the transfer chamber 2704 each include a transfer robot 2763, with which a substrate can be transferred.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the substrate heating chamber 2705 also serve as a plasma treatment chamber. In the deposition apparatus 2700, it is possible to transfer a substrate without exposure to the air between treatment and treatment; therefore, adsorption of impurities on a substrate can be suppressed. In addition, the order of deposition, heat treatment, or the like can be freely determined. Note that the number of the transfer chambers, the number of the deposition chambers, the number of the load lock chambers, the number of the unload lock chambers, and the number of the substrate heating chambers are not limited to the above, and the numbers thereof can be set as appropriate depending on the space for placement or the process conditions.

Next, FIG. 34A, FIG. 34B, and FIG. 34C are a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line V1-V2, a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line W1-W2, and a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line W2-W3, respectively, in the deposition apparatus 2700 illustrated in FIG. 33 .

FIG. 34A is a cross section of the substrate heating chamber 2705 and the transfer chamber 2704, and the substrate heating chamber 2705 includes a plurality of heating stages 2765 which can hold a substrate. Furthermore, the substrate heating chamber 2705 is connected to a vacuum pump 2770 through a valve. As the vacuum pump 2770, a dry pump and a mechanical booster pump can be used, for example.

As a heating mechanism which can be used for the substrate heating chamber 2705, a resistance heater may be used for heating, for example. Alternatively, heat conduction or heat radiation from a medium such as a heated gas may be used as the heating mechanism. For example, RTA such as gas rapid thermal annealing (GRTA) or lamp rapid thermal annealing (LRTA) can be used. The LRTA is a method for heating an object by radiation of light (an electromagnetic wave) emitted from a lamp such as a halogen lamp, a metal halide lamp, a xenon arc lamp, a carbon arc lamp, a high-pressure sodium lamp, or a high-pressure mercury lamp. In the GRTA, heat treatment is performed using a high-temperature gas. An inert gas is used as the gas.

Moreover, the substrate heating chamber 2705 is connected to a refiner 2781 through a mass flow controller 2780. Note that although the mass flow controller 2780 and the refiner 2781 can be provided for each of a plurality of kinds of gases, only one mass flow controller 2780 and one refiner 2781 are provided for easy understanding. As the gas introduced to the substrate heating chamber 2705, a gas whose dew point is -80° C. or lower, preferably -100° C. or lower can be used; for example, an oxygen gas, a nitrogen gas, and a rare gas (e.g., an argon gas) are used.

The transfer chamber 2704 includes the transfer robot 2763. The transfer robot 2763 can transfer a substrate to each chamber. Furthermore, the transfer chamber 2704 is connected to the vacuum pump 2770 and a cryopump 2771 through valves. With such a structure, exhaust can be performed using the vacuum pump 2770 when the pressure inside the transfer chamber 2704 is in the range of atmospheric pressure to low or medium vacuum (about several hundred pascals to 0.1 Pa) and then, by switching the valves, exhaust can be performed using the cryopump 2771 when the pressure inside the transfer chamber 2704 is in the range of middle vacuum to high or ultra-high vacuum (approximately 0.1 Pa to 1 × 10⁻⁷ Pa).

Alternatively, two or more cryopumps 2771 may be connected in parallel to the transfer chamber 2704. With such a structure, even when one of the cryopumps is in regeneration, exhaust can be performed using any of the other cryopumps. Note that the above regeneration refers to treatment for discharging molecules (or atoms) entrapped in the cryopump. When molecules (or atoms) are entrapped too much in a cryopump, the exhaust capability of the cryopump is lowered; therefore, regeneration is performed regularly.

FIG. 34B is a cross section of the deposition chamber 2706 b, the transfer chamber 2704, and the load lock chamber 2703 a.

Here, the details of the deposition chamber (sputtering chamber) are described with reference to FIG. 34B. In the deposition chamber 2706 b illustrated in FIG. 34B, a target 2766 a, a target 2766 b, a target shield 2767 a, a target shield 2767 b, a magnet unit 2790 a, a magnet unit 2790 b, a substrate holder 2768, and power sources 2791 are provided. Although not illustrated, the targets 2766 a and 2766 b are each fixed to a target holder with a backing plate positioned therebetween. The targets 2766 a and 2766 b are electrically connected to the power sources 2791. The magnet units 2790 a and 2790 b are placed behind the targets 2766 a and 2766 b, respectively. The target shields 2767 a and 2767 b are placed to surround end portions of the targets 2766 a and 2766 b, respectively. Note that here, the substrate 2769 is supported by the substrate holder 2768. The substrate holder 2768 is fixed to the deposition chamber 2706 b by an movable member 2784. Owing to the movable member 2784, the substrate holder 2768 can move to a region between the targets 2766 a and 2766 b (region between targets). Providing the substrate holder 2768 supporting the substrate 2769 in the region between targets can reduce damage due to plasma in some cases, for example. Although not illustrated, the substrate holder 2768 may include a substrate holding mechanism which holds the substrate 2769, a rear heater which heats the substrate 2769 from the back surface, or the like.

The target shields 2767 a and 2767 b can suppress deposition of a particle which is sputtered from the targets 2766 a and 2766 b on a region where deposition is not needed. Moreover, the target shields 2767 a and 2767 b are preferably processed to prevent accumulated sputtered particles from being separated. For example, blasting treatment which increases surface roughness may be performed, or roughness may be formed on the surface of the target shields 2767 a and 2767 b.

The deposition chamber 2706 b is connected to the mass flow controller 2780 through a gas heating system 2782, and the gas heating system 2782 is connected to the refiner 2781 through the mass flow controller 2780. With the gas heating system 2782, a gas which is introduced to the deposition chamber 2706 b can be heated to a temperature higher than or equal to 40° C. and lower than or equal to 400° C., preferably higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C. Note that although the gas heating system 2782, the mass flow controller 2780, and the refiner 2781 can be provided for each of a plurality of kinds of gases, only one gas heating system 2782, one mass flow controller 2780, and one refiner 2781 are provided for easy understanding. As the gas introduced to the deposition chamber 2706 b, a gas whose dew point is -80° C. or lower, preferably -100° C. or lower can be used; for example, an oxygen gas, a nitrogen gas, and a rare gas (e.g., an argon gas) are used.

In the case where the refiner is provided near a gas inlet, the length of a pipe between the refiner and the deposition chamber 2706 b is less than or equal to 10 m, preferably less than or equal to 5 m, more preferably less than or equal to 1 m. When the length of the pipe is less than or equal to 10 m, less than or equal to 5 m, or less than or equal to 1 m, the effect of the release of gas from the pipe can be reduced accordingly. As the pipe for the gas, a metal pipe the inside of which is covered with iron fluoride, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, or the like is preferably used. With the above pipe, the amount of released gas containing impurities is made small and the entry of impurities into the gas can be reduced as compared with a SUS316L-EP pipe, for example. Furthermore, a high-performance ultra-compact metal gasket joint (UPG joint) may be used as a joint of the pipe. A structure where all the materials of the pipe are metals is preferable because the effect of the generated released gas or the external leakage can be reduced as compared with a structure where a resin or the like is used.

The deposition chamber 2706 b is connected to a turbo molecular pump 2772 and the vacuum pump 2770 through valves.

In addition, the deposition chamber 2706 b is provided with a cryotrap 2751.

The cryotrap 2751 is a mechanism which can adsorb a molecule (or an atom) having a relatively high melting point, such as water. The turbo molecular pump 2772 is capable of stably removing a large-sized molecule (or atom), needs low frequency of maintenance, and thus enables high productivity, whereas it has a low capability in removing hydrogen and water. Hence, the cryotrap 2751 is connected to the deposition chamber 2706 b so as to have a high capability in removing water or the like. The temperature of a refrigerator of the cryotrap 2751 is set to be lower than or equal to 100 K, preferably lower than or equal to 80 K. In the case where the cryotrap 2751 includes a plurality of refrigerators, it is preferable to set the temperatures of the refrigerators at different temperatures because efficient exhaust is possible. For example, the temperature of a first-stage refrigerator may be set to be lower than or equal to 100 K and the temperature of a second-stage refrigerator may be set to be lower than or equal to 20 K. Note that when a titanium sublimation pump is used instead of the cryotrap, a higher vacuum can be achieved in some cases. Using an ion pump instead of a cryopump or a turbo molecular pump can also achieve a higher vacuum in some cases.

Note that the exhaust method of the deposition chamber 2706 b is not limited to the above, and a structure similar to that in the exhaust method described above for the transfer chamber 2704 (the exhaust method using the cryopump and the vacuum pump) may be employed. Needless to say, the exhaust method of the transfer chamber 2704 may have a structure similar to that of the deposition chamber 2706 b (the exhaust method using the turbo molecular pump and the vacuum pump).

Note that in each of the transfer chamber 2704, the substrate heating chamber 2705, and the deposition chamber 2706 b which are described above, the back pressure (total pressure) and the partial pressure of each gas molecule (atom) are preferably set as follows. In particular, the back pressure and the partial pressure of each gas molecule (atom) in the deposition chamber 2706 b need to be noted because impurities might enter a film to be formed.

In each of the above chambers, the back pressure (total pressure) is less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁴ Pa, preferably less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, more preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵ Pa. In each of the above chambers, the partial pressure of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 18 is less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, more preferably less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁶ Pa. Moreover, in each of the above chambers, the partial pressure of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 28 is less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, more preferably less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁶ Pa. Furthermore, in each of the above chambers, the partial pressure of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 44 is less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵ Pa, more preferably less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁶ Pa.

Note that a total pressure and a partial pressure in a vacuum chamber can be measured using a mass analyzer. For example, Qulee CGM-051, a quadrupole mass analyzer (also referred to as Q-mass) manufactured by ULVAC, Inc. may be used.

Moreover, the transfer chamber 2704, the substrate heating chamber 2705, and the deposition chamber 2706 b which are described above preferably have a small amount of external leakage or internal leakage.

For example, in each of the transfer chamber 2704, the substrate heating chamber 2705, and the deposition chamber 2706 b which are described above, the leakage rate is less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁶ Pa·m³/s, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁶ Pa·m³/s. The leakage rate of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 18 is less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁷ Pa·m³/s, preferably less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁸ Pa·m³/s. The leakage rate of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 28 is less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵ Pa·m³/s, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁶ Pa·m³/s. The leakage rate of a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 44 is less than or equal to 3 × 10⁻⁶ Pa·m³/s, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁶ Pa·m³/s.

Note that a leakage rate can be derived from the total pressure and partial pressure measured using the mass analyzer.

The leakage rate depends on external leakage and internal leakage. The external leakage refers to inflow of gas from the outside of a vacuum system through a minute hole, a sealing defect, or the like. The internal leakage is due to leakage through a partition, such as a valve, in a vacuum system or due to released gas from an internal member. Measures need to be taken from both aspects of external leakage and internal leakage in order that the leakage rate can be set to be less than or equal to the above value.

For example, an open/close portion of the deposition chamber 2706 b is preferably sealed with a metal gasket. For the metal gasket, metal covered with iron fluoride, aluminum oxide, or chromium oxide is preferably used. The metal gasket realizes higher adhesion than an O-ring, and can reduce the external leakage. Furthermore, with the use of the metal covered with iron fluoride, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, or the like, which is in the passive state, the release of gas containing impurities released from the metal gasket is suppressed, so that the internal leakage can be reduced.

For a member of the deposition apparatus 2700, aluminum, chromium, titanium, zirconium, nickel, or vanadium, which releases a smaller amount of gas containing impurities, is used. Alternatively, for the above member, an alloy containing iron, chromium, nickel, and the like covered with the above material may be used. The alloy containing iron, chromium, nickel, and the like is rigid, resistant to heat, and suitable for processing. Here, when surface unevenness of the member is decreased by polishing or the like to reduce the surface area, the release of gas can be reduced.

Alternatively, the above member of the deposition apparatus 2700 may be covered with iron fluoride, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, or the like.

The member of the deposition apparatus 2700 is preferably formed using only metal when possible. For example, in the case where a viewing window formed with quartz or the like is provided, it is preferable that the surface of the viewing window be thinly covered with iron fluoride, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, or the like so as to suppress release of gas.

When an adsorbed substance is present in the deposition chamber, the adsorbed substance does not affect the pressure in the deposition chamber because it is adsorbed onto an inner wall or the like; however, the adsorbed substance causes gas to be released when the inside of the deposition chamber is evacuated. Therefore, although there is no correlation between the leakage rate and the exhaust rate, it is important that the adsorbed substance present in the deposition chamber be desorbed as much as possible and exhaust be performed in advance with the use of a pump with high exhaust capability. Note that the deposition chamber may be subjected to baking to promote desorption of the adsorbed substance. By the baking, the desorption rate of the adsorbed substance can be increased about tenfold. The baking can be performed at a temperature in the range of 100° C. to 450° C. At this time, when the adsorbed substance is removed while an inert gas is introduced to the deposition chamber, the desorption rate of water or the like, which is difficult to be desorbed simply by exhaust, can be further increased. Note that when the inert gas which is introduced is heated to substantially the same temperature as the baking temperature, the desorption rate of the adsorbed substance can be further increased. Here, a rare gas is preferably used as an inert gas. Depending on the kind of a film to be deposited, oxygen or the like may be used instead of an inert gas. For example, in deposition of an oxide, the use of oxygen which is the main component of the oxide is preferable in some cases. The baking is preferably performed using a lamp.

Alternatively, treatment for evacuating the inside of the deposition chamber is preferably performed a certain period of time after heated oxygen, a heated inert gas such as a heated rare gas, or the like is introduced to increase a pressure in the deposition chamber. The introduction of the heated gas can desorb the adsorbed substance in the deposition chamber, and the impurities present in the deposition chamber can be reduced. Note that an advantageous effect can be achieved when this treatment is repeated more than or equal to 2 times and less than or equal to 30 times, preferably more than or equal to 5 times and less than or equal to 15 times. Specifically, an inert gas, oxygen, or the like with a temperature higher than or equal to 40° C. and lower than or equal to 400° C., preferably higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 200° C. is introduced to the deposition chamber, so that the pressure therein can be kept to be greater than or equal to 0.1 Pa and less than or equal to 10 kPa, preferably greater than or equal to 1 Pa and less than or equal to 1 kPa, more preferably greater than or equal to 5 Pa and less than or equal to 100 Pa in the time range of 1 minute to 300 minutes, preferably 5 minutes to 120 minutes. After that, the inside of the deposition chamber is evacuated in the time range of 5 minutes to 300 minutes, preferably 10 minutes to 120 minutes.

The desorption rate of the adsorbed substance can be further increased also by dummy deposition. Here, the dummy deposition refers to deposition on a dummy substrate by a sputtering method or the like, in which a film is deposited on the dummy substrate and the inner wall of the deposition chamber so that impurities in the deposition chamber and an adsorbed substance on the inner wall of the deposition chamber are confined in the film. For a dummy substrate, a substrate which releases a smaller amount of gas is preferably used. By performing dummy deposition, the concentration of impurities in a film to be formed later can be reduced. Note that the dummy deposition may be performed at the same time as the baking of the deposition chamber.

Next, the details of the transfer chamber 2704 and the load lock chamber 2703 a illustrated in FIG. 34B and the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 and the atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701 illustrated in FIG. 34C are described. Note that FIG. 34C is a cross section of the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 and the atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701.

For the transfer chamber 2704 illustrated in FIG. 34B, the description of the transfer chamber 2704 illustrated in FIG. 34A can be referred to.

The load lock chamber 2703 a includes a substrate delivery stage 2752. When a pressure in the load lock chamber 2703 a becomes atmospheric pressure by being increased from reduced pressure, the substrate delivery stage 2752 receives a substrate from the transfer robot 2763 provided in the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702. After that, the load lock chamber 2703 a is evacuated into vacuum so that the pressure therein becomes reduced pressure and then the transfer robot 2763 provided in the transfer chamber 2704 receives the substrate from the substrate delivery stage 2752.

Furthermore, the load lock chamber 2703 a is connected to the vacuum pump 2770 and the cryopump 2771 through valves. For a method for connecting exhaust systems such as the vacuum pump 2770 and the cryopump 2771, the description of the method for connecting the transfer chamber 2704 can be referred to, and the description thereof is omitted here. Note that the unload lock chamber 2703 b illustrated in FIG. 33 can have a structure similar to that in the load lock chamber 2703 a.

The atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 includes the transfer robot 2763. The transfer robot 2763 can deliver a substrate from the cassette port 2761 to the load lock chamber 2703 a or deliver a substrate from the load lock chamber 2703 a to the cassette port 2761. Furthermore, a mechanism for cleaning dust or a particle, such as high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, may be provided above the atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber 2702 and the atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701.

The atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber 2701 includes a plurality of cassette ports 2761. The cassette port 2761 can hold a plurality of substrates.

The surface temperature of the target is set to be lower than or equal to 100° C., preferably lower than or equal to 50° C., more preferably about room temperature (typically, 25° C.). In a sputtering apparatus for a large substrate, a large target is often used. However, it is difficult to form a target for a large substrate without a juncture. In fact, a plurality of targets are arranged so that there is as little space as possible therebetween to obtain a large shape; however, a slight space is inevitably generated. When the surface temperature of the target increases, in some cases, zinc or the like is volatilized from such a slight space and the space might be expanded gradually. When the space expands, a metal of a backing plate or a metal contained in a bonding member used for adhesion between the backing plate and a target might be sputtered and might cause an increase in impurity concentration. Thus, it is preferable that the target be cooled sufficiently.

Specifically, for the backing plate, a metal having high conductivity and a high heat dissipation property (specifically copper) is used. The target can be cooled efficiently by making a sufficient amount of cooling water flow through a groove portion which is formed in the backing plate.

With the above-described deposition apparatus, an oxide semiconductor film whose hydrogen concentration measured by SIMS is lower than 1 × 10²⁰ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁹ atoms/cm³, further preferably lower than 5 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, still further preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ can be formed.

Furthermore, an oxide semiconductor film whose nitrogen concentration measured by SIMS is lower than or equal to 5 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ can be formed.

Furthermore, an oxide semiconductor film whose carbon concentration measured by SIMS is lower than or equal to 2 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³, preferably lower than or equal to 2 × 10¹⁷ atoms/cm³ can be formed.

The oxide semiconductor film having small amounts of impurities and oxygen vacancies is an oxide semiconductor film with low carrier density (specifically, lower than 8 × 10¹¹/cm³, preferably lower than 1 × 10¹¹/cm³, further preferably lower than 1 × 10¹⁰/cm³, and is higher than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁹/cm³). Such an oxide semiconductor is referred to as a highly purified intrinsic or substantially highly purified intrinsic oxide semiconductor. The oxide semiconductor film has a low impurity concentration and a low density of defect states. Thus, the oxide semiconductor film can be referred to as an oxide semiconductor film having stable characteristics.

Furthermore, an oxide semiconductor can be deposited in which the released amount of each of the following gas molecules (atoms) measured by TDS is less than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁹ /cm³, preferably less than or equal to 1 × 10¹⁸ /cm³: a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 2 (e.g., a hydrogen molecule), a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 18, a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 28, and a gas molecule (atom) having a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of 44.

With the use of the above deposition apparatus, the entry of impurities into the oxide semiconductor film can be suppressed. Furthermore, when a film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film is formed with the use of the above deposition apparatus, the entry of impurities into the oxide semiconductor film from the film in contact therewith can be suppressed.

Note that the structure described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 4

In this embodiment, a display device that includes a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 35A to 35C.

4. Display Device

The display device illustrated in FIG. 35A includes a region including pixels of display elements (hereinafter the region is referred to as a pixel portion 502), a circuit portion provided outside the pixel portion 502 and including a circuit for driving the pixels (hereinafter the portion is referred to as a driver circuit portion 504), circuits each having a function of protecting an element (hereinafter the circuits are referred to as protection circuits 506), and a terminal portion 507. Note that the protection circuits 506 are not necessarily provided.

A part or the whole of the driver circuit portion 504 is preferably formed over a substrate over which the pixel portion 502 is formed, in which case the number of components and the number of terminals can be reduced. When a part or the whole of the driver circuit portion 504 is not formed over the substrate over which the pixel portion 502 is formed, the part or the whole of the driver circuit portion 504 can be mounted by COG or tape automated bonding (TAB).

The pixel portion 502 includes a plurality of circuits for driving display elements arranged in X rows (X is a natural number of 2 or more) and Y columns (Y is a natural number of 2 or more) (hereinafter, such circuits are referred to as pixel circuits 501). The driver circuit portion 504 includes driver circuits such as a circuit for supplying a signal (scan signal) to select a pixel (hereinafter, the circuit is referred to as a gate driver 504 a) and a circuit for supplying a signal (data signal) to drive a display element in a pixel (hereinafter, the circuit is referred to as a source driver 504 b).

The gate driver 504 a includes a shift register or the like. The gate driver 504 a receives a signal for driving the shift register through the terminal portion 507 and outputs a signal. For example, the gate driver 504 a receives a start pulse signal, a clock signal, or the like and outputs a pulse signal. The gate driver 504 a has a function of controlling the potentials of wirings supplied with scan signals (hereinafter, such wirings are referred to as scan lines GL_1 to GL_X). Note that a plurality of gate drivers 504 a may be provided to control the scan lines GL_1 to GL_X separately. Alternatively, the gate driver 504 a has a function of supplying an initialization signal. Without being limited thereto, the gate driver 504 a can supply another signal.

The source driver 504 b includes a shift register or the like. The source driver 504 b receives a signal (image signal) from which a data signal is derived, as well as a signal for driving the shift register, through the terminal portion 507. The source driver 504 b has a function of generating a data signal to be written to the pixel circuit 501 which is based on the image signal. In addition, the source driver 504 b has a function of controlling output of a data signal in response to a pulse signal produced by input of a start pulse signal, a clock signal, or the like. Furthermore, the source driver 504 b has a function of controlling the potentials of wirings supplied with data signals (hereinafter such wirings are referred to as data lines DL_1 to DL_Y). Alternatively, the source driver 504 b has a function of supplying an initialization signal. Without being limited thereto, the source driver 504 b can supply another signal.

The source driver 504 b includes a plurality of analog switches or the like, for example. The source driver 504 b can output, as the data signals, signals obtained by time-dividing the image signal by sequentially turning on the plurality of analog switches. The source driver 504 b may include a shift register or the like.

A pulse signal and a data signal are input to each of the plurality of pixel circuits 501 through one of the plurality of scan lines GL supplied with scan signals and one of the plurality of data lines DL supplied with data signals, respectively. Writing and holding of the data signal to and in each of the plurality of pixel circuits 501 are controlled by the gate driver 504 a. For example, to the pixel circuit 501 in the m-th row and the n-th column (m is a natural number of less than or equal to X, and n is a natural number of less than or equal to Y), a pulse signal is input from the gate driver 504 a through the scan line GL_m, and a data signal is input from the source driver 504 b through the data line DL_n in accordance with the potential of the scan line GL_m.

The protection circuit 506 shown in FIG. 35A is connected to, for example, the scan line GL between the gate driver 504 a and the pixel circuit 501. Alternatively, the protection circuit 506 is connected to the data line DL between the source driver 504 b and the pixel circuit 501. Alternatively, the protection circuit 506 can be connected to a wiring between the gate driver 504 a and the terminal portion 507. Alternatively, the protection circuit 506 can be connected to a wiring between the source driver 504 b and the terminal portion 507. Note that the terminal portion 507 means a portion having terminals for inputting power, control signals, and image signals to the display device from external circuits.

The protection circuit 506 is a circuit that electrically connects a wiring connected to the protection circuit to another wiring when a potential out of a certain range is applied to the wiring connected to the protection circuit.

As illustrated in FIG. 35A, the protection circuits 506 are provided for the pixel portion 502 and the driver circuit portion 504, so that the resistance of the display device to overcurrent generated by electrostatic discharge (ESD) or the like can be improved. Note that the configuration of the protection circuits 506 is not limited to that, and for example, the protection circuit 506 may be configured to be connected to the gate driver 504 a or the protection circuit 506 may be configured to be connected to the source driver 504 b. Alternatively, the protection circuit 506 may be configured to be connected to the terminal portion 507.

In FIG. 35A, an example in which the driver circuit portion 504 includes the gate driver 504 a and the source driver 504 b is shown; however, the structure is not limited thereto. For example, only the gate driver 504 a may be formed and a separately prepared substrate where a source driver circuit is formed (e.g., a driver circuit substrate formed with a single crystal semiconductor film or a polycrystalline semiconductor film) may be mounted.

Each of the plurality of pixel circuits 501 in FIG. 35A can have the structure illustrated in FIG. 35B, for example.

The pixel circuit 501 illustrated in FIG. 35B includes a liquid crystal element 570, a transistor 550, and a capacitor 560. As the transistor 550, any of the transistors described in the above embodiments can be used.

The potential of one of a pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570 is set in accordance with the specifications of the pixel circuit 501 as appropriate. The alignment state of the liquid crystal element 570 depends on written data. A common potential may be supplied to one of the pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570 included in each of the plurality of pixel circuits 501. Furthermore, the potential supplied to one of the pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570 in the pixel circuit 501 in one row may be different from the potential supplied to one of the pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570 in the pixel circuit 501 in another row.

As a driving method of the display device including the liquid crystal element 570, any of the following modes can be used, for example: a twisted nematic (TN) mode, a super-twisted nematic (STN) mode, a vertical alignment (VA) mode, a multi-domain vertical alignment (MVA) mode, a patterned vertical alignment (PVA) mode, an in-plane-switching (IPS) mode, a fringe field switching (FFS) mode, an axially symmetric aligned micro-cell (ASM) mode, an optically compensated birefringence (OCB) mode, a ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) mode, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal (AFLC) mode, a transverse bend alignment (TBA) mode, and the like.

Other examples of the driving method of the display device include an electrically controlled birefringence (ECB) mode, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) mode, a polymer network liquid crystal (PNLC) mode, and a guest-host mode. Note that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and various liquid crystal elements and driving methods can be applied to the liquid crystal element and the driving method thereof.

In the pixel circuit 501 in the m-th row and the n-th column, one of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor 550 is electrically connected to the data line DL_n, and the other is electrically connected to the other of the pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570. A gate electrode of the transistor 550 is electrically connected to the scan line GL_m. The transistor 550 has a function of controlling whether to write a data signal by being turned on or off.

One of a pair of electrodes of the capacitor 560 is electrically connected to a wiring to which a potential is supplied (hereinafter referred to as a potential supply line VL), and the other is electrically connected to the other of the pair of electrodes of the liquid crystal element 570. The potential of the potential supply line VL is set in accordance with the specifications of the pixel circuit 501 as appropriate. The capacitor 560 functions as a storage capacitor for storing written data.

For example, in the display device including the pixel circuit 501 in FIG. 35B, the pixel circuits 501 are sequentially selected row by row by the gate driver 504 a illustrated in FIG. 35A, whereby the transistors 550 are turned on and a data signal is written.

When the transistors 550 are turned off, the pixel circuits 501 in which the data has been written are brought into a holding state. This operation is sequentially performed row by row; thus, an image can be displayed.

Alternatively, each of the plurality of pixel circuits 501 in FIG. 35A can have the structure illustrated in FIG. 35C, for example.

The pixel circuit 501 illustrated in FIG. 35C includes transistors 552 and 554, a capacitor 562, and a light-emitting element 572. Any of the transistors described in the above embodiments can be used as one or both of the transistors 552 and 554.

One of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor 552 is electrically connected to a wiring to which a data signal is supplied (hereinafter referred to as a data line DL_n). A gate electrode of the transistor 552 is electrically connected to a wiring to which a gate signal is supplied (hereinafter referred to as a scan line GL_m).

The transistor 552 has a function of controlling whether to write a data signal by being turned on or off.

One of a pair of electrodes of the capacitor 562 is electrically connected to a wiring to which a potential is supplied (hereinafter referred to as a potential supply line VL_a), and the other is electrically connected to the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor 552.

The capacitor 562 functions as a storage capacitor for storing written data.

One of a source electrode and a drain electrode of the transistor 554 is electrically connected to the potential supply line VL_a. Furthermore, a gate electrode of the transistor 554 is electrically connected to the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor 552.

One of an anode and a cathode of the light-emitting element 572 is electrically connected to a potential supply line VL_b, and the other is electrically connected to the other of the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor 554.

As the light-emitting element 572, an organic electroluminescent element (also referred to as an organic EL element) or the like can be used, for example. Note that the light-emitting element 572 is not limited to an organic EL element; an inorganic EL element including an inorganic material may be used.

A high power supply potential VDD is supplied to one of the potential supply line VL_a and the potential supply line VL_b, and a low power supply potential VSS is supplied to the other.

For example, in the display device including the pixel circuit 501 in FIG. 35C, the pixel circuits 501 are sequentially selected row by row by the gate driver 504 a illustrated in FIG. 35A, whereby the transistors 552 are turned on and a data signal is written.

When the transistors 552 are turned off, the pixel circuits 501 in which the data has been written are brought into a holding state. Furthermore, the amount of current flowing between the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor 554 is controlled in accordance with the potential of the written data signal. The light-emitting element 572 emits light with a luminance corresponding to the amount of flowing current. This operation is sequentially performed row by row; thus, an image can be displayed.

Although the structures including the liquid crystal element 570 or the light-emitting element 572 as a display element of the display device are described in this embodiment, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to these structures and a variety of elements may be included in the display device.

For example, the display device includes at least one of a liquid crystal element, an EL element (e.g., an EL element including organic and inorganic materials, an organic EL element, or an inorganic EL element), an LED (e.g., a white LED, a red LED, a green LED, or a blue LED), a transistor (a transistor that emits light depending on current), an electron emitter, electronic ink, an electrophoretic element, a grating light valve (GLV), a plasma display panel (PDP), a display element using micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS), a digital micromirror device (DMD), a digital micro shutter (DMS), MIRASOL (registered trademark), an interferometric modulator display (IMOD) element, a MEMS shutter display element, an optical-interference-type MEMS display element, an electrowetting element, a piezoelectric ceramic display, a display element using a carbon nanotube, and the like. Alternatively, the display device may include a display medium whose contrast, luminance, reflectivity, transmittance, or the like is changed by electrical or magnetic effect. Examples of display devices including electron emitters are a field emission display (FED) and an SED-type flat panel display (SED: surface-conduction electron-emitter display). Examples of display devices including liquid crystal elements include a liquid crystal display (e.g., a transmissive liquid crystal display, a transflective liquid crystal display, a reflective liquid crystal display, a direct-view liquid crystal display, or a projection liquid crystal display). An example of a display device including electronic ink or electrophoretic elements is electronic paper. In the case of a transflective liquid crystal display or a reflective liquid crystal display, some of or all of pixel electrodes function as reflective electrodes. For example, some or all of pixel electrodes are formed to contain aluminum, silver, or the like. In such a case, a memory circuit such as an SRAM can be provided under the reflective electrodes. Thus, the power consumption can be further reduced.

A progressive type display, an interlace type display, or the like can be employed as the display type of the display device of this embodiment. Furthermore, color elements controlled in a pixel at the time of color display are not limited to three colors: R, G, and B (R, G, and B correspond to red, green, and blue, respectively). For example, four pixels of the R pixel, the G pixel, the B pixel, and a W (white) pixel may be included. Alternatively, a color element may be composed of two colors among R, G, and B as in PenTile layout. The two colors may differ among color elements. Alternatively, one or more colors of yellow, cyan, magenta, and the like may be added to RGB. Furthermore, the size of a display region may be different depending on respective dots of the color elements. Embodiments of the disclosed invention are not limited to a display device for color display; the disclosed invention can also be applied to a display device for monochrome display.

White light (W) may be emitted from a backlight (e.g., an organic EL element, an inorganic EL element, an LED, or a fluorescent lamp) in the display device. Furthermore, a coloring layer (also referred to as a color filter) may be provided in the display device. As the coloring layer, red (R), green (G), blue (B), yellow (Y), or the like may be combined as appropriate, for example. With the use of the coloring layer, higher color reproducibility can be obtained than in the case without the coloring layer. In this case, by providing a region with the coloring layer and a region without the coloring layer, white light in the region without the coloring layer may be directly utilized for display. By partly providing the region without the coloring layer, a decrease in luminance due to the coloring layer can be suppressed, and 20% to 30% of power consumption can be reduced in some cases when an image is displayed brightly. Note that in the case where full-color display is performed using self-luminous elements such as organic EL elements or inorganic EL elements, the elements may emit light of their respective colors R, G, B, Y, and W. By using self-luminous elements, power consumption can be further reduced as compared to the case of using the coloring layer in some cases.

The structure described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 5

In this embodiment, a display device including a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention and an electronic device in which the display device is provided with an input device will be described with reference to FIGS. 36A and 36B, FIGS. 37A and 37B, FIG. 38 , FIGS. 39A and 39B, FIGS. 40A and 40B, and FIG. 41 .

5-1. Touch Panel

In this embodiment, a touch panel 2000 including a display device and an input device will be described as an example of an electronic device. In addition, an example in which a touch sensor is used as an input device will be described.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are perspective views of the touch panel 2000. Note that FIGS. 36A and 36B illustrate only main components of the touch panel 2000 for simplicity.

The touch panel 2000 includes a display device 2501 and a touch sensor 2595 (see FIG. 36B). The touch panel 2000 also includes a substrate 2510, a substrate 2570, and a substrate 2590. The substrate 2510, the substrate 2570, and the substrate 2590 each have flexibility. Note that one or all of the substrates 2510, 2570, and 2590 may be inflexible.

The display device 2501 includes a plurality of pixels over the substrate 2510 and a plurality of wirings 2511 through which signals are supplied to the pixels. The plurality of wirings 2511 are led to a peripheral portion of the substrate 2510, and parts of the plurality of wirings 2511 form a terminal 2519. The terminal 2519 is electrically connected to an FPC 2509(1).

The substrate 2590 includes the touch sensor 2595 and a plurality of wirings 2598 electrically connected to the touch sensor 2595. The plurality of wirings 2598 are led to a peripheral portion of the substrate 2590, and parts of the plurality of wirings 2598 form a terminal. The terminal is electrically connected to an FPC 2509(2). Note that in FIG. 36B, electrodes, wirings, and the like of the touch sensor 2595 provided on the back side of the substrate 2590 (the side facing the substrate 2510) are indicated by solid lines for clarity.

As the touch sensor 2595, a capacitive touch sensor can be used, for example. Examples of the capacitive touch sensor are a surface capacitive touch sensor and a projected capacitive touch sensor.

Examples of the projected capacitive touch sensor are a self-capacitive touch sensor and a mutual capacitive touch sensor, which differ mainly in the driving method. The use of a mutual capacitive type is preferable because multiple points can be sensed simultaneously.

Note that the touch sensor 2595 illustrated in FIG. 36B is an example of using a projected capacitive touch sensor.

Note that a variety of sensors that can sense proximity or touch of a sensing target such as a finger can be used as the touch sensor 2595.

The projected capacitive touch sensor 2595 includes electrodes 2591 and electrodes 2592. The electrodes 2591 are electrically connected to any of the plurality of wirings 2598, and the electrodes 2592 are electrically connected to any of the other wirings 2598.

The electrodes 2592 each have a shape of a plurality of quadrangles arranged in one direction with one corner of a quadrangle connected to one corner of another quadrangle as illustrated in FIGS. 36A and 36B.

The electrodes 2591 each have a quadrangular shape and are arranged in a direction intersecting with the direction in which the electrodes 2592 extend.

A wiring 2594 electrically connects two electrodes 2591 between which the electrode 2592 is positioned. The intersecting area of the electrode 2592 and the wiring 2594 is preferably as small as possible. Such a structure allows a reduction in the area of a region where the electrodes are not provided, reducing variation in transmittance. As a result, variation in luminance of light passing through the touch sensor 2595 can be reduced.

Note that the shapes of the electrodes 2591 and the electrodes 2592 are not limited thereto and can be any of a variety of shapes. For example, a structure may be employed in which the plurality of electrodes 2591 are arranged so that gaps between the electrodes 2591 are reduced as much as possible, and the electrodes 2592 are spaced apart from the electrodes 2591 with an insulating layer interposed therebetween to have regions not overlapping with the electrodes 2591. In this case, it is preferable to provide, between two adjacent electrodes 2592, a dummy electrode electrically insulated from these electrodes because the area of regions having different transmittances can be reduced.

Note that as a material of the conductive films used for the electrodes 2591, the electrodes 2592, and the wirings 2598, that is, wirings and electrodes forming the touch panel, a transparent conductive film containing indium oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide, or the like (e.g., ITO) can be given. For example, a low-resistance material is preferably used as a material that can be used as the wirings and electrodes forming the touch panel. For example, silver, copper, aluminum, a carbon nanotube, graphene, or a metal halide (such as a silver halide) may be used. Alternatively, a metal nanowire including a plurality of conductors with an extremely small width (for example, a diameter of several nanometers) may be used. Further alternatively, a net-like metal mesh with a conductor may be used. For example, an Ag nanowire, a Cu nanowire, an Al nanowire, an Ag mesh, a Cu mesh, or an Al mesh may be used. For example, in the case of using an Ag nanowire as the wirings and electrodes forming the touch panel, a visible light transmittance of 89% or more and a sheet resistance of 40 Ω/cm² or more and 100 Ω/cm² or less can be achieved. Since the above-described metal nanowire, metal mesh, carbon nanotube, graphene, and the like, which are examples of the material that can be used as the wirings and electrodes forming the touch panel, have high visible light transmittances, they may be used as electrodes of display elements (e.g., a pixel electrode or a common electrode).

5-2. Display Device

Next, the display device 2501 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 37A and 37B. FIGS. 37A and 37B correspond to cross-sectional views taken along dashed-dotted line X1-X2 in FIG. 36B.

The display device 2501 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Each of the pixels includes a display element and a pixel circuit for driving the display element.

Structure with EL Element as Display Element

First, a structure that uses an EL element as a display element will be described below with reference to FIG. 37A. In the following description, an example of using an EL element that emits white light will be described; however, the EL element is not limited to this element. For example, EL elements that emit light of different colors may be included so that the light of different colors can be emitted from adjacent pixels.

For the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2570, for example, a flexible material with a vapor permeability of lower than or equal to 10⁻⁵ g/(m²·day), preferably lower than or equal to 10⁻⁶ g/(m²·day) can be favorably used. Alternatively, materials whose thermal expansion coefficients are substantially equal to each other are preferably used for the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2570. For example, the coefficients of linear expansion of the materials are preferably lower than or equal to 1 × 10⁻³/K, further preferably lower than or equal to 5 × 10-⁵/K, and still further preferably lower than or equal to 1 × 10⁻⁵/K.

Note that the substrate 2510 is a stacked body including an insulating layer 2510 a for preventing impurity diffusion into the EL element, a flexible substrate 2510 b, and an adhesive layer 2510 c for attaching the insulating layer 2510 a and the flexible substrate 2510 b to each other. The substrate 2570 is a stacked body including an insulating layer 2570 a for preventing impurity diffusion into the EL element, a flexible substrate 2570 b, and an adhesive layer 2570 c for attaching the insulating layer 2570 a and the flexible substrate 2570 b to each other.

For the adhesive layer 2510 c and the adhesive layer 2570 c, for example, polyester, polyolefin, polyamide (e.g., nylon, aramid), polyimide, polycarbonate, an acrylic resin, polyurethane, an epoxy resin, or a resin having a siloxane bond can be used.

A sealing layer 2560 is provided between the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2570. The sealing layer 2560 preferably has a refractive index higher than that of air. In the case where light is extracted to the sealing layer 2560 side as illustrated in FIG. 37A, the sealing layer 2560 can also serve as an optical element.

A sealant may be formed in the peripheral portion of the sealing layer 2560. With the use of the sealant, an EL element 2550 can be provided in a region surrounded by the substrate 2510, the substrate 2570, the sealing layer 2560, and the sealant. Note that an inert gas (such as nitrogen or argon) may be used instead of the sealing layer 2560. A drying agent may be provided in the inert gas so as to adsorb moisture or the like. For example, an epoxy-based resin or a glass frit is preferably used as the sealant. As a material used for the sealant, a material which does not transmit moisture or oxygen is preferably used.

The display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37A includes a pixel 2505. The pixel 2505 includes a light-emitting module 2580, the EL element 2550, and a transistor 2502 t that can supply electric power to the EL element 2550. Note that the transistor 2502 t functions as part of the pixel circuit.

The light-emitting module 2580 includes the EL element 2550 and a coloring layer 2567. The EL element 2550 includes a lower electrode, an upper electrode, and an EL layer between the lower electrode and the upper electrode.

In the case where the sealing layer 2560 is provided on the light extraction side, the sealing layer 2560 is in contact with the EL element 2550 and the coloring layer 2567.

The coloring layer 2567 is positioned in a region overlapping with the EL element 2550. Accordingly, part of light emitted from the EL element 2550 passes through the coloring layer 2567 and is emitted to the outside of the light-emitting module 2580 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 37A.

The display device 2501 includes a light-blocking layer 2568 on the light extraction side. The light-blocking layer 2568 is provided so as to surround the coloring layer 2567.

The coloring layer 2567 is a coloring layer having a function of transmitting light in a particular wavelength region. For example, a color filter for transmitting light in a red wavelength range, a color filter for transmitting light in a green wavelength range, a color filter for transmitting light in a blue wavelength range, a color filter for transmitting light in a yellow wavelength range, or the like can be used. Each color filter can be formed with any of various materials by a printing method, an inkjet method, an etching method using a photolithography technique, or the like.

An insulating layer 2521 is provided in the display device 2501. The insulating layer 2521 covers the transistor 2502 t and the like. Note that the insulating layer 2521 has a function of covering the roughness caused by the pixel circuit to provide a flat surface. The insulating layer 2521 may have a function of suppressing impurity diffusion. This can prevent the reliability of the transistor 2502 t or the like from being lowered by impurity diffusion.

The EL element 2550 is formed over the insulating layer 2521. A partition 2528 is provided so as to overlap with an end portion of the lower electrode of the EL element 2550. Note that a spacer for controlling the distance between the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2570 may be formed over the partition 2528.

A scan line driver circuit 2504 includes a transistor 2503 t and a capacitor 2503 c. Note that the driver circuit can be formed in the same process and over the same substrate as those of the pixel circuits.

The wirings 2511 through which signals can be supplied are provided over the substrate 2510. The terminal 2519 is provided over the wirings 2511. The FPC 2509(1) is electrically connected to the terminal 2519. The FPC 2509(1) has a function of supplying a video signal, a clock signal, a start signal, a reset signal, or the like. Note that the FPC 2509(1) may be provided with a printed wiring board (PWB).

Any of the transistors described in the above embodiments may be used as one or both of the transistors 2502 t and 2503 t. The transistors used in this embodiment each include an oxide semiconductor film which is highly purified and in which formation of oxygen vacancies is suppressed. In the transistors, the current in an off state (off-state current) can be made small. Accordingly, an electrical signal such as an image signal can be held for a longer period, and a writing interval can be set longer in an on state. Accordingly, the frequency of refresh operation can be reduced, which leads to an effect of suppressing power consumption. In addition, the transistors used in this embodiment can have relatively high field-effect mobility and thus are capable of high speed operation. For example, with such transistors which can operate at high speed used for the display device 2501, a switching transistor of a pixel circuit and a driver transistor in a driver circuit portion can be formed over one substrate. That is, a semiconductor device formed using a silicon wafer or the like is not additionally needed as a driver circuit, by which the number of components of the semiconductor device can be reduced. In addition, by using a transistor which can operate at high speed in a pixel circuit, a high-quality image can be provided.

Structure with Liquid Crystal Element as Display Element

Next, a structure including a liquid crystal element as a display element is described below with reference to FIG. 37B. In the description below, a reflective liquid crystal display device that performs display by reflecting external light is described; however, one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this type of liquid crystal display device. For example, a light source (e.g., a back light or a side light) may be provided to form a transmissive liquid crystal display device or a transflective liquid crystal display device.

The display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37B has the same structure as the display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37A except the following points.

The pixel 2505 in the display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37B includes a liquid crystal element 2551 and the transistor 2502 t that can supply electric power to the liquid crystal element 2551.

The liquid crystal element 2551 includes a lower electrode (also referred to as a pixel electrode), an upper electrode, and a liquid crystal layer 2529 between the lower electrode and the upper electrode. By the application of a voltage between the lower electrode and the upper electrode, the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer 2529 in the liquid crystal element 2551 can be changed. Furthermore, in the liquid crystal layer 2529, a spacer 2530 a and a spacer 2530 b are provided. Although not illustrated in FIG. 37B, an alignment film may be provided on each of the upper electrode and the lower electrode on the side in contact with the liquid crystal layer 2529.

As the liquid crystal layer 2529, thermotropic liquid crystal, low-molecular liquid crystal, high-molecular liquid crystal, polymer dispersed liquid crystal, ferroelectric liquid crystal, or anti-ferroelectric liquid crystal can be used. Such a liquid crystal material exhibits a cholesteric phase, a smectic phase, a cubic phase, a chiral nematic phase, an isotropic phase, or the like depending on conditions. In the case of employing a horizontal electric field mode liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase for which an alignment film is unnecessary may be used. In the case where a liquid crystal exhibiting a blue phase is used, an alignment film is not necessarily provided, so that rubbing treatment is also unnecessary. Accordingly, electrostatic discharge damage caused by the rubbing treatment can be prevented and defects and damage of the liquid crystal display device in the manufacturing process can be reduced.

The spacers 2530 a and 2530 b are formed by selectively etching an insulating film. The spacers 2530 a and 2530 b are provided in order to control the distance between the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2570 (the cell gap). Note that the spacers 2530 a and 2530 b may have different sizes from each other and are preferably have a columnar or spherical shape. Although the spacers 2530 a and 2530 b are provided on the substrate 2570 side in the non-limiting structure in FIG. 37B, they may be provided on the substrate 2510 side.

The upper electrode of the liquid crystal element 2551 is provided on the substrate 2570 side. An insulating layer 2531 is provided between the upper electrode and the coloring layer 2567 and the light-blocking layer 2568. The insulating layer 2531 has a function of covering the roughness caused by the coloring layer 2567 and the light-blocking layer 2568 to provide a flat surface. As the insulating layer 2531, an organic resin film may be used, for example. The lower electrode of the liquid crystal element 2551 functions as a reflective electrode. The display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37B is of a reflective type which performs display by reflecting external light at the lower electrode and making the light pass through the coloring layer 2567. Note that in the case of forming a transmissive liquid crystal display device, a transparent electrode is provided as the lower electrode.

The display device 2501 illustrated in FIG. 37B includes an insulating layer 2522. The insulating layer 2522 covers the transistor 2502 t and the like. The insulating layer 2522 has a function of covering the roughness caused by the pixel circuit to provide a flat surface and a function of forming roughness on the lower electrode of the liquid crystal element. In this way, roughness can be formed on the surface of the lower electrode. Therefore, when external light is incident on the lower electrode, the light is reflected diffusely at the surface of the lower electrode, whereby visibility can be improved. Note that in the case of forming a transmissive liquid crystal display device, a structure without such roughness may be employed.

5-3. Touch Sensor

Next, the touch sensor 2595 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 38 . FIG. 38 corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line X3-X4 in FIG. 36B.

The touch sensor 2595 includes the electrodes 2591 and the electrodes 2592 provided in a staggered arrangement on the substrate 2590, an insulating layer 2593 covering the electrodes 2591 and the electrodes 2592, and the wiring 2594 that electrically connects the adjacent electrodes 2591 to each other.

The electrodes 2591 and the electrodes 2592 are formed using a light-transmitting conductive material. As a light-transmitting conductive material, a conductive oxide such as indium oxide, indium tin oxide, indium zinc oxide, zinc oxide, or zinc oxide to which gallium is added can be used. Note that a film containing graphene may be used as well. The film containing graphene can be formed, for example, by reducing a film containing graphene oxide. As a reducing method, a method with application of heat or the like can be employed.

The electrodes 2591 and the electrodes 2592 may be formed by, for example, depositing a light-transmitting conductive material on the substrate 2590 by a sputtering method and then removing an unnecessary portion by any of various pattern forming techniques such as photolithography.

Examples of a material for the insulating layer 2593 are a resin such as an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin, a resin having a siloxane bond, and an inorganic insulating material such as silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, or aluminum oxide.

Openings reaching the electrodes 2591 are formed in the insulating layer 2593, and the wiring 2594 electrically connects the adjacent electrodes 2591. A light-transmitting conductive material can be favorably used as the wiring 2594 because the aperture ratio of the touch panel can be increased. Moreover, a material with higher conductivity than the conductivities of the electrodes 2591 and 2592 can be favorably used for the wiring 2594 because electric resistance can be reduced.

One electrode 2592 extends in one direction, and a plurality of electrodes 2592 are provided in the form of stripes. The wiring 2594 intersects with the electrode 2592.

Adjacent electrodes 2591 are provided with one electrode 2592 provided therebetween. The wiring 2594 electrically connects the adjacent electrodes 2591.

Note that the plurality of electrodes 2591 are not necessarily arranged in the direction orthogonal to one electrode 2592 and may be arranged to intersect with one electrode 2592 at an angle of more than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

The wiring 2598 is electrically connected to any of the electrodes 2591 and 2592. Part of the wiring 2598 functions as a terminal. For the wiring 2598, a metal material such as aluminum, gold, platinum, silver, nickel, titanium, tungsten, chromium, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, copper, or palladium or an alloy material containing any of these metal materials can be used.

Note that an insulating layer that covers the insulating layer 2593 and the wiring 2594 may be provided to protect the touch sensor 2595.

A connection layer 2599 electrically connects the wiring 2598 to the FPC 2509(2).

As the connection layer 2599, any of various anisotropic conductive films (ACF), anisotropic conductive pastes (ACP), or the like can be used.

5-4. Touch Panel

Next, the touch panel 2000 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 39A. FIG. 39A corresponds to a cross-sectional view taken along dashed-dotted line X5-X6 in FIG. 36A.

In the touch panel 2000 illustrated in FIG. 39A, the display device 2501 described with reference to FIG. 37A and the touch sensor 2595 described with reference to FIG. 38 are attached to each other.

The touch panel 2000 illustrated in FIG. 39A includes an adhesive layer 2597 and an anti-reflective layer 2569 in addition to the components described with reference to FIG. 37A.

The adhesive layer 2597 is provided in contact with the wiring 2594. Note that the adhesive layer 2597 attaches the substrate 2590 to the substrate 2570 so that the touch sensor 2595 overlaps with the display device 2501. The adhesive layer 2597 preferably has a light-transmitting property. A heat curable resin or an ultraviolet curable resin can be used for the adhesive layer 2597. For example, an acrylic resin, a urethane-based resin, an epoxy-based resin, or a siloxane-based resin can be used.

The anti-reflective layer 2569 is positioned in a region overlapping with pixels. As the anti-reflective layer 2569, a circularly polarizing plate can be used, for example.

Next, a touch panel having a structure different from that illustrated in FIG. 39A will be described with reference to FIG. 39B.

FIG. 39B is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel 2001. The touch panel 2001 illustrated in FIG. 39B differs from the touch panel 2000 illustrated in FIG. 39A in the position of the touch sensor 2595 relative to the display device 2501. Different parts are described in detail below, and the above description of the touch panel 2000 is referred to for the other similar parts.

The coloring layer 2567 is positioned under the EL element 2550. The EL element 2550 illustrated in FIG. 39B emits light to the side where the transistor 2502 t is provided. Accordingly, part of light emitted from the EL element 2550 passes through the coloring layer 2567 and is emitted to the outside of the light-emitting module 2580 as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 39B.

The touch sensor 2595 is provided on the substrate 2510 side of the display device 2501.

The adhesive layer 2597 is provided between the substrate 2510 and the substrate 2590 and attaches the touch sensor 2595 to the display device 2501.

As illustrated in FIG. 39A or FIG. 39B, light may be emitted from the light-emitting element through either or both of the substrates 2510 and 2570.

5-5. Driving Method of Touch Panel

Next, an example of a method for driving a touch panel will be described with reference to FIGS. 40A and 40B.

FIG. 40A is a block diagram illustrating the structure of a mutual capacitive touch sensor. FIG. 40A illustrates a pulse voltage output circuit 2601 and a current sensing circuit 2602. Note that in FIG. 40A, six wirings X1 to X6 represent the electrodes 2621 to which a pulse voltage is applied, and six wirings Y1 to Y6 represent the electrodes 2622 that detect changes in current. FIG. 40A also illustrates capacitors 2603 that are each formed in a region where the electrodes 2621 and 2622 overlap with each other. Note that functional replacement between the electrodes 2621 and 2622 is possible.

The pulse voltage output circuit 2601 is a circuit for sequentially applying a pulse voltage to the wirings X1 to X6. By application of a pulse voltage to the wirings X1 to X6, an electric field is generated between the electrodes 2621 and 2622 of the capacitor 2603. When the electric field between the electrodes is shielded, for example, a change occurs in the capacitor 2603 (mutual capacitance). The approach or contact of a sensing target can be sensed by utilizing this change.

The current sensing circuit 2602 is a circuit for detecting changes in current flowing through the wirings Y1 to Y6 that are caused by the change in mutual capacitance in the capacitor 2603. No change in current value is detected in the wirings Y1 to Y6 when there is no approach or contact of a sensing target, whereas a decrease in current value is detected when mutual capacitance is decreased owing to the approach or contact of a sensing target. Note that an integrator circuit or the like is used for sensing of current values.

FIG. 40B is a timing chart showing input and output waveforms in the mutual capacitive touch sensor illustrated in FIG. 40A. In FIG. 40B, sensing of a sensing target is performed in all the rows and columns in one frame period. FIG. 40B shows a period when a sensing target is not sensed (not touched) and a period when a sensing target is sensed (touched). Sensed current values of the wirings Y1 to Y6 are shown as the waveforms of voltage values.

A pulse voltage is sequentially applied to the wirings X1 to X6, and the waveforms of the wirings Y1 to Y6 change in accordance with the pulse voltage. When there is no approach or contact of a sensing target, the waveforms of the wirings Y1 to Y6 change in accordance with changes in the voltages of the wirings X1 to X6. The current value is decreased at the point of approach or contact of a sensing target and accordingly the waveform of the voltage value changes.

By detecting a change in mutual capacitance in this manner, the approach or contact of a sensing target can be sensed.

5-6. Sensor Circuit

Although FIG. 40A illustrates a passive type touch sensor in which only the capacitor 2603 is provided at the intersection of wirings as a touch sensor, an active type touch sensor including a transistor and a capacitor may be used. FIG. 41 illustrates an example of a sensor circuit included in an active type touch sensor.

The sensor circuit in FIG. 41 includes the capacitor 2603 and transistors 2611, 2612, and 2613.

A signal G2 is applied to a gate of the transistor 2613. A voltage VRES is applied to one of a source and a drain of the transistor 2613, and one electrode of the capacitor 2603 and a gate of the transistor 2611 are electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 2613. One of a source and a drain of the transistor 2611 is electrically connected to one of a source and a drain of the transistor 2612, and a voltage VSS is applied to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 2611. A signal G1 is applied to a gate of the transistor 2612, and a wiring ML is electrically connected to the other of the source and the drain of the transistor 2612. The voltage VSS is applied to the other electrode of the capacitor 2603.

Next, the operation of the sensor circuit in FIG. 41 will be described. First, a potential for turning on the transistor 2613 is supplied as the signal G2, and a potential with respect to the voltage VRES is thus applied to the node n connected to the gate of the transistor 2611. Then, a potential for turning off the transistor 2613 is applied as the signal G2, whereby the potential of the node n is maintained.

Then, mutual capacitance of the capacitor 2603 changes owing to the approach or contact of a sensing target such as a finger, and accordingly the potential of the node n is changed from VRES.

In reading operation, a potential for turning on the transistor 2612 is supplied to the signal G1. A current flowing through the transistor 2611, that is, a current flowing through the wiring ML is changed in accordance with the potential of the node n. By sensing this current, the approach or contact of a sensing target can be sensed.

In each of the transistors 2611, 2612, and 2613, any of the transistors described in the above embodiments can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use any of the transistors described in the above embodiments as the transistor 2613 because the potential of the node n can be held for a long time and the frequency of operation of resupplying VRES to the node n (refresh operation) can be reduced.

The structure described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 6

In this embodiment, a display module, electronic devices, and a display device which include a semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 42 , FIGS. 43A to 43G, and FIGS. 44A and 44B.

6-1. Display Module

In a display module 8000 illustrated in FIG. 42 , a touch panel 8004 connected to an FPC 8003, a display panel 8006 connected to an FPC 8005, a backlight 8007, a frame 8009, a printed board 8010, and a battery 8011 are provided between an upper cover 8001 and a lower cover 8002.

The oxide semiconductor film or semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can be used for, for example, the display panel 8006.

The shapes and sizes of the upper cover 8001 and the lower cover 8002 can be changed as appropriate in accordance with the sizes of the touch panel 8004 and the display panel 8006.

The touch panel 8004 can be a resistive touch panel or a capacitive touch panel and can be formed to overlap with the display panel 8006. A counter substrate (sealing substrate) of the display panel 8006 can have a touch panel function. A photosensor may be provided in each pixel of the display panel 8006 to form an optical touch panel.

The backlight 8007 includes light sources 8008. Note that although a structure in which the light sources 8008 are provided over the backlight 8007 is illustrated in FIG. 42 , one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this structure. For example, a structure in which the light sources 8008 are provided at an end portion of the backlight 8007 and a light diffusion plate is further provided may be employed. Note that the backlight 8007 need not be provided in the case where a self-luminous light-emitting element such as an organic EL element is used or in the case where a reflective panel or the like is employed.

The frame 8009 protects the display panel 8006 and also functions as an electromagnetic shield for blocking electromagnetic waves generated by the operation of the printed board 8010. The frame 8009 may function as a radiator plate.

The printed board 8010 is provided with a power supply circuit and a signal processing circuit for outputting a video signal and a clock signal. As a power source for supplying power to the power supply circuit, an external commercial power source or a power source using the battery 8011 provided separately may be used. The battery 8011 can be omitted in the case of using a commercial power source.

The display module 8000 may be additionally provided with a member such as a polarizing plate, a retardation plate, or a prism sheet.

6-2. Electronic Device

FIGS. 43A to 43G illustrate electronic devices. These electronic devices can each include a housing 9000, a display portion 9001, a speaker 9003, an operation key 9005 (including a power switch or an operation switch), a connection terminal 9006, a sensor 9007 (a sensor having a function of measuring force, displacement, position, speed, acceleration, angular velocity, rotational frequency, distance, light, liquid, magnetism, temperature, chemical substance, sound, time, hardness, electric field, current, voltage, power, radiation, flow rate, humidity, gradient, oscillation, odor, or infrared rays), a microphone 9008, and the like.

The electronic devices illustrated in FIGS. 43A to 43G can have a variety of functions, for example, a function of displaying a variety of information (a still image, a moving image, a text image, and the like) on the display portion, a touch panel function, a function of displaying a calendar, the date, the time, and the like, a function of controlling processing with a variety of software (programs), a wireless communication function, a function of being connected to a variety of computer networks with a wireless communication function, a function of transmitting and receiving a variety of data with a wireless communication function, a function of reading a program or data stored in a storage medium and displaying the program or data on the display portion, and the like. Note that functions of the electronic devices illustrated in FIGS. 43A to 43G are not limited thereto, and the electronic devices can have a variety of functions. Although not illustrated in FIGS. 43A to 43G, the electronic devices may each have a plurality of display portions. The electronic devices may each have a camera or the like and a function of taking a still image, a function of taking a moving image, a function of storing the taken image in a storage medium (an external storage medium or a storage medium incorporated in the camera), a function of displaying the taken image on the display portion, and the like.

The electronic devices illustrated in FIGS. 43A to 43G will be described in detail below.

FIG. 43A is a perspective view of a portable information terminal 9100. The display portion 9001 of the portable information terminal 9100 is flexible and thus can be incorporated along the curved surface of the housing 9000. Furthermore, the display portion 9001 includes a touch sensor, and operation can be performed by touching a screen with a finger, a stylus, or the like. For example, by touching an icon displayed on the display portion 9001, an application can be started.

FIG. 43B is a perspective view of a portable information terminal 9101. The portable information terminal 9101 functions as, for example, one or more of a telephone set, a notebook, an information browsing system, and the like. Specifically, the portable information terminal 9101 can be used as a smartphone. Note that the speaker 9003, the connection terminal 9006, the sensor 9007, and the like, which are not illustrated in FIG. 43B, can be positioned in the portable information terminal 9101 as in the portable information terminal 9100 illustrated in FIG. 43A. The portable information terminal 9101 can display characters and image information on its plurality of surfaces. For example, three operation buttons 9050 (also referred to as operation icons, or simply, icons) can be displayed on one surface of the display portion 9001. Furthermore, information 9051 indicated by dashed rectangles can be displayed on another surface of the display portion 9001. Examples of the information 9051 include display indicating reception of an incoming e-mail, social networking service (SNS) message, call, or the like; the title and sender of an e-mail, SNS message, or the like; the date; the time; remaining battery; the strength of an antenna; and the like. Instead of the information 9051, the operation buttons 9050 or the like may be displayed in the position where the information 9051 is displayed.

FIG. 43C is a perspective view of a portable information terminal 9102. The portable information terminal 9102 has a function of displaying information on three or more surfaces of the display portion 9001. Here, information 9052, information 9053, and information 9054 are displayed on different surfaces. For example, a user of the portable information terminal 9102 can see the display (here, the information 9053) with the portable information terminal 9102 put in a breast pocket of his/her clothes. Specifically, a caller’s phone number, name, or the like of an incoming call is displayed in the position that can be seen from above the portable information terminal 9102. Thus, the user can see the display without taking out the portable information terminal 9102 from the pocket and decide whether to answer the call.

FIG. 43D is a perspective view of a watch-type portable information terminal 9200. The portable information terminal 9200 is capable of executing a variety of applications such as mobile phone calls, e-mailing, viewing and editing texts, music reproduction, Internet communication, and computer games. The display surface of the display portion 9001 is curved, and display can be performed on the curved display surface. The portable information terminal 9200 can employ near field communication conformable to a communication standard. For example, hands-free calling can be achieved with mutual communication between the portable information terminal 9200 and a headset capable of wireless communication. Moreover, the portable information terminal 9200 includes the connection terminal 9006, and data can be directly transmitted to and received from another information terminal via a connector. Charging through the connection terminal 9006 is also possible. Note that the charging operation may be performed by wireless power feeding without using the connection terminal 9006.

FIGS. 43E, 43F, and 43G are perspective views of a foldable portable information terminal 9201. FIG. 43E is a perspective view of the foldable portable information terminal 9201 that is opened. FIG. 43F is a perspective view of the foldable portable information terminal 9201 that is being opened or being folded. FIG. 43G is a perspective view of the foldable portable information terminal 9201 that is folded. The portable information terminal 9201 is highly portable when folded. When the portable information terminal 9201 is opened, a seamless large display region provides high browsability. The display portion 9001 of the portable information terminal 9201 is supported by three housings 9000 joined together by hinges 9055. By folding the portable information terminal 9201 at a connection portion between two housings 9000 with the hinges 9055, the portable information terminal 9201 can be reversibly changed in shape from the opened state to the folded state. For example, the portable information terminal 9201 can be bent with a radius of curvature of greater than or equal to 1 mm and less than or equal to 150 mm.

FIGS. 44A and 44B are perspective views of a display device including a plurality of display panels. Note that the plurality of display panels are wound in the perspective view in FIG. 44A, and are unwound in the perspective view in FIG. 44B.

A display device 9500 illustrated in FIGS. 44A and 44B includes a plurality of display panels 9501, a hinge 9511, and a bearing 9512. The plurality of display panels 9501 each include a display region 9502 and a light-transmitting region 9503.

Each of the plurality of display panels 9501 is flexible. Two adjacent display panels 9501 are provided so as to partly overlap with each other. For example, the light-transmitting regions 9503 of the two adjacent display panels 9501 can be overlapped each other. A display device having a large screen can be obtained with the plurality of display panels 9501. The display device is highly versatile because the display panels 9501 can be wound depending on its use.

Moreover, although the display regions 9502 of the adjacent display panels 9501 are separated from each other in FIGS. 44A and 44B, without limitation to this structure, the display regions 9502 of the adjacent display panels 9501 may overlap with each other without any space so that a continuous display region 9502 is obtained, for example.

The electronic devices described in this embodiment each include the display portion for displaying some sort of data. Note that the semiconductor device of one embodiment of the present invention can also be used for an electronic device that does not have a display portion. The structure in which the display portion of the electronic device described in this embodiment is flexible and display can be performed on the curved display surface or the structure in which the display portion of the electronic device is foldable is described as an example; however, the structure is not limited thereto, and a structure in which the display portion of the electronic device is not flexible and display is performed on a plane portion may be employed.

The structure described in this embodiment can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the other embodiments and the examples.

Embodiment 7

In this embodiment, a deposition apparatus which can be used for manufacturing the display module of one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 45 .

FIG. 45 illustrates a deposition apparatus 3000 which can be used for manufacturing the display module of one embodiment of the present invention. Note that the deposition apparatus 3000 is an example of a batch-type ALD apparatus.

7-1. Structural Example of Deposition Apparatus

The deposition apparatus 3000 described in this embodiment includes a deposition chamber 3180 and a control portion 3182 connected to the deposition chamber 3180 (see FIG. 45 ).

The control portion 3182 includes a control unit (not illustrated) which supplies control signals and flow rate controllers 3182 a, 3182 b, and 3182 c to which the control signals are supplied. For example, high-speed valves can be used as the flow rate controllers. Specifically, flow rates can be precisely controlled by using ALD valves or the like. The control portion 3182 also includes a heating mechanism 3182 h which controls the temperatures of the flow rate controllers and pipes.

The flow rate controller 3182 a is supplied with a control signal, a first source material, and an inert gas and has a function of supplying the first source material or the inert gas in accordance with the control signal.

The flow rate controller 3182 b is supplied with a control signal, a second source material, and an inert gas and has a function of supplying the second source material or the inert gas in accordance with the control signal.

The flow rate controller 3182 c is supplied with a control signal and has a function of connecting to an evacuation unit 3185 in accordance with the control signal.

Source Material Supply Portion

A source material supply portion 3181 a has a function of supplying the first source material and is connected to the flow rate controller 3182 a.

A source material supply portion 3181 b has a function of supplying the second source material and is connected to the flow rate controller 3182 b.

A vaporizer, a heating unit, or the like can be used as each of the source material supply portions. Thus, a gaseous source material can be generated from a solid or liquid source material.

Note that the number of source material supply portions is not limited to two and may be three or more.

Source Material

Any of a variety of substances can be used as the first source material. For example, a volatile organometallic compound, a metal alkoxide, or the like can be used as the first source material. Any of a variety of substances which react with the first source material can be used as the second source material. For example, a substance which contributes to an oxidation reaction, a substance which contributes to a reduction reaction, a substance which contributes to an addition reaction, a substance which contributes to a decomposition reaction, a substance which contributes to a hydrolysis reaction, or the like can be used as the second source material.

Furthermore, a radical or the like can be used. For example, plasma obtained by supplying a source material to a plasma source, or the like can be used. Specifically, an oxygen radical, a nitrogen radical, or the like can be used.

The second source material combined with the first source material is preferably a source material which reacts at a temperature close to room temperature. For example, a source material which reacts at a temperature higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 200° C., preferably higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 150° C., is preferable.

Evacuation Unit

The evacuation unit 3185 has an evacuating function and is connected to the flow rate controller 3182 c. Note that a trap for capturing the source material to be evacuated may be provided between an outlet port 3184 and the flow rate controller 3182 c. The evacuated gas or the like is removed by using a removal unit.

Control Portion

The control portion 3182 supplies the control signals which control the flow rate controllers, a control signal which controls the heating mechanism, or the like. For example, in a first step, the first source material is supplied to a surface of a process member. Then, in a second step, the second source material which reacts with the first source material is supplied. Accordingly, a reaction product of the first source material and the second source material can be deposited onto a surface of a process member 3010.

Note that the amount of the reaction product to be deposited onto the surface of the process member 3010 can be controlled by repetition of the first step and the second step.

Note that the amount of the first source material to be supplied to the process member 3010 is limited by the maximum possible amount of adsorption on the surface of the process member 3010. For example, conditions are selected so that a monomolecular layer of the first source material is formed on the surface of the process member 3010, and the formed monomolecular layer of the first source material is reacted with the second source material, whereby a significantly uniform layer containing the reaction product of the first source material and the second source material can be formed.

Accordingly, a variety of materials can be deposited on a surface of the process member 3010 even when the surface has a complicated structure. For example, a film having a thickness greater than or equal to 3 nm and less than or equal to 200 nm can be formed on the process member 3010.

In the case where, for example, a small hole called a pinhole or the like is formed in the surface of the process member 3010, the pinhole can be filled by depositing a material into the pinhole.

The remainder of the first source material or the second source material is evacuated from the deposition chamber 3180 with use of the evacuation unit 3185. For example, the evacuation may be performed while an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen is introduced.

Deposition Chamber

The deposition chamber 3180 includes an inlet port 3183 from which the first source material, the second source material, and the inert gas are supplied and the outlet port 3184 from which the first source material, the second source material, and the inert gas are evacuated.

The deposition chamber 3180 includes a support portion 3186 which has a function of supporting one or a plurality of process members 3010, a heating mechanism 3187 which has a function of heating the one or plurality of process members 3010, and a door 3188 which has a function of opening or closing to load and unload the one or plurality of process members 3010.

For example, a resistive heater, an infrared lamp, or the like can be used as the heating mechanism 3187. The heating mechanism 3187 has a function of heating up, for example, to 80° C. or higher, 100° C. or higher, or 150° C. or higher. The heating mechanism 3187 heats the one or plurality of process members 3010 to a temperature higher than or equal to room temperature and lower than or equal to 200° C., preferably higher than or equal to 50° C. and lower than or equal to 150° C.

The deposition chamber 3180 may also include a pressure regulator and a pressure detector.

Support Portion

The support portion 3186 supports the one or plurality of process members 3010. Accordingly, an insulating film, for example, can be formed over the one or plurality of process members 3010 in each treatment.

7-2. Example of Film

An example of a film which can be formed with the deposition apparatus 3000 described in this embodiment will be described.

For example, a film including an oxide, a nitride, a fluoride, a sulfide, a ternary compound, a metal, or a polymer can be formed.

For example, the film can be formed with a material including aluminum oxide, hafnium oxide, aluminum silicate, hafnium silicate, lanthanum oxide, silicon oxide, strontium titanate, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, niobium oxide, zirconium oxide, tin oxide, yttrium oxide, cerium oxide, scandium oxide, erbium oxide, vanadium oxide, indium oxide, or the like.

For example, the film can be formed with a material including aluminum nitride, hafnium nitride, silicon nitride, tantalum nitride, titanium nitride, niobium nitride, molybdenum nitride, zirconium nitride, gallium nitride, or the like.

For example, the film can be formed with a material including copper, platinum, ruthenium, tungsten, iridium, palladium, iron, cobalt, nickel, or the like.

For example, the film can be formed with a material including zinc sulfide, strontium sulfide, calcium sulfide, lead sulfide, calcium fluoride, strontium fluoride, zinc fluoride, or the like.

For example, the film can be formed with a material which includes a nitride containing titanium and aluminum, an oxide containing titanium and aluminum, an oxide containing aluminum and zinc, a sulfide containing manganese and zinc, a sulfide containing cerium and strontium, an oxide containing erbium and aluminum, an oxide containing yttrium and zirconium, or the like.

This embodiment can be combined with any of the other embodiments and the examples in this specification as appropriate.

Example 1

In this example, the crystallinity and composition of the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention were evaluated. Note that Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 were fabricated in this example. Samples A1 to A5 are comparative oxide semiconductor films, and Samples B1 to B5 are the oxide semiconductor films of one embodiment of the present invention.

1-1. Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5

First, Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 fabricated in this example are described.

Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 are different in deposition conditions of the oxide semiconductor films and compositions of the targets. Table 4 shows main deposition conditions of Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5. Note that Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 were fabricated with a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus. An AC power source was used as a power source that supplied power to the target during fabrication of Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5.

TABLE 4 Target composition In:Ga:Zn [atomic ratio] Substrate temperature [°C] Deposition power [kW] Pressure [Pa] Gas flow rate O₂/(Ar+O₂) × 100 Ar [sccm] O₂ [sccm] Sample A1 1:1:1.2 170 2.5 0.6 180 20 10 Sample A2 140 60 30 Sample A3 100 100 50 Sample A4 60 140 70 Sample A5 0 200 100 Sample B1 4:2:4.1 170 2.5 0.6 180 20 10 Sample B2 140 60 30 Sample B3 100 100 50 Sample B4 60 140 70 Sample B5 0 200 100

As shown in Table 4, Samples A1 to A5 for comparison were fabricated using a target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2 and Samples B1 to B5 of one embodiment of the present invention were fabricated using a target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1.

1-2. Target Composition and Film Composition

Next, the composition of the target used for Samples A1 to A5 in Table 4 and the film composition of Sample A3 fabricated using the target were analyzed. The composition of the target used for Samples B1 to B5 and the film composition of Sample B3 fabricated using the target were also analyzed. Table 5 shows the composition of the target used for Samples A1 to A5 and the film composition of Sample A3. Table 6 shows the composition of the target used for Samples B1 to B5 and the film composition of Sample B3.

TABLE 5 Target composition [atomic ratio] Film composition [atomic ratio] In Ga Zn O In Ga Zn O 1 1.01 1.24 4.26 1 0.84 0.92 4.04

TABLE 6 Target composition [atomic ratio] Film composition [atomic ratio] In Ga Zn O In Ga Zn O 4 1.99 4.07 13.06 4 1.8 3.2 12.6

Pieces of the targets were evaluated by ICP-MS to analyze the target composition. The films formed by a sputtering method were evaluated by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to analyze the film composition.

As shown in Table 5 and Table 6, the film composition of Sample A3 fabricated using the target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2 was around In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1. The film composition of Sample B3 fabricated using the target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1 was around In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3.

1-3. Crystallinity Evaluation by XRD

Next, the crystallinity of Samples A1 to A5 and Samples B1 to B5 were evaluated by XRD. FIG. 46 shows the XRD results. For the XRD evaluation, a multifunction thin film material evaluation X-ray diffractometer, D8 DISCOVER Hybrid, manufactured by Bruker AXS was used. The XRD results shown in FIG. 46 are results of analysis by an out-of-plane method.

As shown in FIG. 46 , a peak was observed at around 2θ = 31° in each of Samples A1 to A5 and B1 to B5. This peak at around 2θ = 31° is derived from the (009) plane of the InGaZnO₄ crystal, which indicates that crystals in the oxide semiconductor film in each Sample had c-axis alignment, and that the c-axes were aligned in a direction substantially perpendicular to the formation surface or the top surface of the oxide semiconductor film. The intensity of the peak around 2θ = 31° in Samples B1 to B5 is higher than that in Samples A1 to A5. Furthermore, in both Samples for comparison (Samples A1 to A5) and Samples of one embodiment of the present invention (Samples B1 to B5), the intensity of the peak at around 2θ = 31° is higher under the condition where the oxygen flow rate is higher.

As shown in FIG. 46 , Samples A3 to A5 for comparison have a peak at around 2θ = 36°. The peak at around 2θ = 36° is derived from a spinel phase. In contrast, Samples B1 to B5 of one embodiment of the present invention do not have a peak corresponding to a spinel phase in the film even when the oxygen flow rate during deposition is increased. This indicates that a spinel phase is less likely to be formed in the oxide semiconductor film formed using a target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1 than the oxide semiconductor film formed using a target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2.

1-4. Crystallinity Evaluation Using Cross-Sectional TEM Image

Next, cross-sectional TEM images of Samples A3 and B3 fabricated in the above manner were observed. FIGS. 47A and 47B were cross-sectional TEM images. FIG. 47A is a cross-sectional TEM image of Sample A3, and FIG. 47B is a cross-sectional TEM image of Sample B3.

In FIGS. 47A and 47B, a clear lattice image of crystals having c-axis alignment is observed in Sample B3 of one embodiment of the present invention compared with Sample A3. It was confirmed that the oxide semiconductor film formed using the target having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1 had high crystallinity.

Note that the structure described in this example can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples.

Example 2

In this example, the crystallinity of the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention was evaluated. Samples C1 to C4, Samples D1 to D4, Samples E1 and E2, and Samples F1 to F6 were fabricated in this example. Samples C1 to C4 and Samples F1 to F6 are the oxide semiconductor films of one embodiment of the present invention, and Samples D1 to D4 and Samples E1 and E2 are oxide semiconductor films for comparison.

2-1. Samples C1 to C4, Samples D1 to D4, Samples E1 and E2, and Samples F1 to F6

First, samples fabricated in this example are described.

Samples C1 to C4 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. Samples D1 to D4 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. Samples E1 and E2 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. Samples F1 to F6 had a structure where a 50-nm-thick first oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate and a 50-nm-thick second oxide semiconductor film was formed over the first oxide semiconductor film. The above samples are different in the substrate temperature during deposition, the composition of the target for forming the oxide semiconductor film, and the stacked-layer structure. Table 7 and Table 8 show main deposition conditions of Samples C1 to C4, Samples D1 to D4, Samples E1 and E2, and Samples F1 to F6. Each sample was formed with a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus. An AC power source was used as a power source that supplied power to the target during fabrication of each sample. A glass substrate with a size of 600 mm × 720 mm was used for each sample.

TABLE 7 Target composition In:Ga:Zn [atomic ratio] Substrate temperature [°C] Deposition power [kW] Pressure [Pa] Gas flow rate O₂/(Ar+O₂) × 100 Ar [sccm] O₂ [sccm] Sample C1 4:2:4.1 100 2.5 0.6 140 60 30 Sample C2 130 Sample C3 150 Sample C4 170 Sample D1 1:1:1.2 100 0.5 0.2 100 100 50 Sample D2 130 Sample D3 150 Sample D4 170 Sample E1 1:3:6 130 4.5 0.3 0 100 100 Sample E2 170

TABLE 8 Stacked-layer structure Substrate temperature [°C] Sample F1 (4:2:3\1:1:1) = 50 nm\50 nm 100 Sample F2 130 Sample F3 150 Sample F4 170 Sample F5 (4:2:3\1:3:6) = 50 nm\50 nm 130 Sample F6 170 Note that values in parentheses represent atomic ratios of In:Ga:Zn.

In Samples F1 to F4 in Table 8, the deposition conditions of the first oxide semiconductor film (In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3 [atomic ratio]) are the same as those of Samples C1 to C4 in Table 7, and the deposition conditions of the second oxide semiconductor film (In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1 [atomic ratio]) are the same as those of Samples D1 to D4 in Table 7. In Samples F5 and F6 in Table 8, the deposition conditions of the first oxide semiconductor film (In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:3 [atomic ratio]) are the same as those of Samples C1 to C4 in Table 7, and the deposition conditions of the second oxide semiconductor film (In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1 [atomic ratio]) are the same as those of Samples E1 and E2 in Table 7.

2-2. Crystallinity Evaluation by XRD

Next, the crystallinity of each sample was evaluated by XRD. The coordinate points in a glass substrate subjected to XRD are shown in FIG. 48 . FIG. 48 shows the coordinate points in the glass substrate with a size of 600 mm× 720 mm subjected to XRD. The coordinate points correspond to B, E, and H represented by circles in FIG. 48 .

FIG. 49 , FIG. 50 , FIG. 51 , FIG. 52 , and FIG. 53 show XRD results. XRD was carried out by a measurement apparatus similar to that in Example 1. The XRD results shown in FIG. 49 , FIG. 50 , FIG. 51 , FIG. 52 , and FIG. 53 are results of analysis by an out-of-plane method. FIG. 49 shows XRD results of Samples C1 to C4, FIG. 50 shows XRD results of Samples D1 to D4, FIG. 51 shows XRD results of Samples E1 and E2, FIG. 52 shows XRD results of Samples F1 to F4, and FIG. 53 shows XRD results of Samples F5 and F6.

As shown in FIG. 49 , FIG. 50 , FIG. 51 , FIG. 52 , and FIG. 53 , each of Samples C1 to C4 and F1 to F6 of one embodiment of the present invention had a peak at around 2θ = 31°, which indicates CAAC-OS, but did not have a peak at around 2θ = 36°, which is derived from a spinel phase.

As shown in Table 7, Table 8, FIG. 49 , FIG. 50 , FIG. 51 , FIG. 52 , and FIG. 53 , the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention has high crystallinity and c-axis alignment when the substrate temperature during deposition is in the range of higher than or equal to 100° C. and lower than or equal to 170° C. In particular, in Sample C4, Sample F3, and Sample F4, favorable crystallinity with little in-plane variation was obtained within a surface with 600 mm × 720 mm (B, E, and H in FIG. 48 , FIG. 49 , FIG. 50 , FIG. 51 , FIG. 52 , and FIG. 53 ).

Note that the structure described in this example can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples.

Example 3

In this example, the hydrogen concentrations of the targets and the oxide semiconductor films formed using the targets were analyzed. Samples G1 to G4 and Samples H1 to H4 were fabricated in this example. Samples G1 to G4 were the oxide semiconductor films of one embodiment of the present invention, and Samples H1 to H4 were oxide semiconductor films for comparison.

3-1. Hydrogen Concentration of Target

First, Table 9 shows the hydrogen concentrations of the targets used in this example. Note that the hydrogen concentrations of the targets were obtained by SIMS.

TABLE 9 Target composition In:Ga:Zn [atomic ratio] Hydrogen concentration quantified results [atoms/cm³] 4:2:4.1 1.0 × 10¹⁸ 1:1:1.2 2.0 × 10¹⁹

3-2. Samples G1 to G4 and Samples H1 to H4

Next, samples fabricated in this example are described.

Samples G1 to G4 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. Samples H1 to H4 had a structure where a 100-nm-thick oxide semiconductor film was formed over a glass substrate. The above samples are different in the substrate temperature during deposition and the composition of the target for forming the oxide semiconductor film. Table 10 shows main deposition conditions of Samples G1 to G4 and Samples H1 to H4. Each sample was formed with a parallel-plate-type sputtering apparatus. An AC power source was used as a power source that supplied power to the target during fabrication of each sample.

TABLE 10 Target composition In:Ga:Zn [atomic ratio] Substrate temperature [°C] Deposition power [kW] Pressure [Pa] Gas flow rate O₂/(Ar+O₂) × 100 Ar [sccm] O₂ [sccm] Sample G1 4:2:4.1 100 2.5 0.6 140 60 30 Sample G2 130 Sample G3 150 Sample G4 170 Sample H1 1:1:1.2 100 0.5 0.2 100 100 50 Sample H2 130 Sample H3 150 Sample H4 170

3-3. Hydrogen Concentration Evaluation in Film by SIMS

Next, SIMS was carried out to evaluate the hydrogen concentration in a film in each sample. FIG. 54 shows SIMS results of each sample.

As shown in FIG. 54 , the hydrogen concentration of Samples G1 to G4 of one embodiment of the present invention was around 3.0 × 10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ in the vicinity of a depth of 20 nm in the film. The hydrogen concentration of Samples H1 to H4 for comparison was around 5.0 × 10¹⁹ atoms/cm³ in the vicinity of a depth of 20 nm in the film. Samples G1 to G4 of one embodiment of the present invention were confirmed to have lower hydrogen concentration than Samples H1 to H4.

No significant difference in the hydrogen concentration in the oxide semiconductor film was caused by the substrate temperature during deposition in Samples G1 to G4 and Samples H1 to H4.

Note that the structure described in this example can be combined as appropriate with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples.

Example 4

In this example, transistors corresponding to the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D were fabricated and their Id-Vg characteristics were evaluated. In this example, Samples J1 and J2 were fabricated and used for evaluation. Samples J1 and J2 each included ten transistors with a channel length L of 6 µm and a channel width W of 50 µm.

The samples fabricated in this example will be described below. Note that the reference numerals used for the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D are used in the following description.

4-1. Method for Fabricating Sample J1

First, the conductive film 204 was formed over the substrate 202. A glass substrate was used as the substrate 202. As the conductive film 204, a 100-nm-thick tungsten film was formed with a sputtering apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 206 and 207 were formed over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204. As the insulating film 206, a 400-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 207, a 50-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 206 was deposited as follows. First, a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 200 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was set to 100 Pa, and an RF power of 2000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes placed in a PECVD apparatus. Then, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 2000 sccm to deposit a 300-nm-thick silicon nitride film. Finally, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 100 sccm to deposit a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film.

The insulating film 207 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 20 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 3000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 40 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in a PECVD apparatus.

Next, the oxide semiconductor film 208 was formed over the insulating film 207. As the oxide semiconductor film 208, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c were successively formed in a vacuum with a sputtering apparatus. Note that in the following description, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b is referred to as IGZO-1, and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c is referred to as IGZO-2.

A 10-nm-thick In—Ga—Zn oxide film (hereinafter referred to as an IGZO film) was formed as IGZO-1. IGZO-1 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 140 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 60 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.6 Pa, and an AC power of 2500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1).

A 15-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-2. IGZO-2 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 2500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2).

Next, the conductive films 212 a and 212 b were formed over the insulating film 207 and the oxide semiconductor film 208. As the conductive films 212 a and 212 b, a 50-nm-thick tungsten film, a 400-nm-thick aluminum film, and a 100-nm-thick titanium film were successively formed in a vacuum with a sputtering apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed over the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor film 208, and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b. As the insulating film 214, a 50-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 216, a 400-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. Note that the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed successively in a vacuum with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 214 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 20 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 216 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 160 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 4000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 200 Pa, and an RF power of 1500 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Then, first heat treatment was performed. The first heat treatment was performed at 350° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Next, a 5-nm-thick ITSO film was formed over the insulating film 216 with a sputtering apparatus. The ITSO film was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was room temperature, an argon gas at a flow rate of 72 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 5 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.15 Pa, and a DC power of 1000 W was supplied to a metal oxide target (In₂O₃:SnO₂:SiO₂ = 85:10:5 [wt.%]) provided in a sputtering apparatus.

Next, oxygen addition treatment was performed on the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the insulating films 214 and 216 through the ITSO film. The oxygen addition treatment was performed with an ashing apparatus under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 40° C., an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 250 sccm was introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 15 Pa, and an RF power of 4500 W was supplied for 120 seconds between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the ashing apparatus so that a bias would be applied to the substrate side.

Then, the ITSO film was removed to expose the insulating film 216. The ITSO film was removed using a wet-etching apparatus in such a manner that etching was performed using a 5% oxalic acid solution for 300 seconds and then etching was performed using a 0.5% hydrofluoric acid for 15 seconds.

Next, the insulating film 218 was formed over the insulating film 216. As the insulating film 218, a 100-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 218 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 5000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 100 Pa, and a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power of 1000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Next, the opening 252 c reaching the conductive film 212 b and the openings 252 a and 252 b reaching the conductive film 204 were formed. The openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c were formed with a dry etching apparatus.

Next, a conductive film was formed over the insulating film 218 to cover the openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c and processed to form the conductive films 220 a and 220 b. As the conductive films 220 a and 220 b, a 100-nm-thick ITSO film was formed with a sputtering apparatus. The composition of a target used for forming the ITSO film was the same as that used for forming the ITSO film described above.

Then, second heat treatment was performed. The second heat treatment was performed at 250° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Through the above process, Sample J1 of this example was fabricated. Note that the highest temperature through the process for fabricating Sample J1 was 350° C.

4-2. Method for Fabricating Sample J2

Sample J2 was different from Sample J1 in deposition conditions of the oxide semiconductor film 208. The other steps were the same as the steps for Sample J1.

As the oxide semiconductor film 208 of Sample J2, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c were successively formed in a vacuum with a sputtering apparatus. Note that in the following description, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b is referred to as IGZO-1a, and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c is referred to as IGZO-2a.

A 10-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-1a. IGZO-1a was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 130° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 140 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 60 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.6 Pa, and an AC power of 2500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1).

A 15-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-2a. IGZO-2a was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 130° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 2500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2).

In other words, Sample J1 and Sample J2 are different in the substrate temperature in deposition of the oxide semiconductor film 208.

Through the above process, Sample J2 of this example was fabricated. Note that the highest temperature through the process for fabricating Sample J2 was 350° C.

4-3. Results of Id-Vg Characteristics

Next, Id-Vg characteristics of Samples J1 and J2 were measured. FIGS. 55A and 55B show the Id-Vg characteristics of Samples J1 and J2. In FIGS. 55A and 55B, the first vertical axis indicates Id (A), the second vertical axis indicates µFE (cm²/Vs), and the horizontal axis indicates Vg (V). FIG. 55A shows Id-Vg characteristics of Sample J1 and FIG. 55B shows Id-Vg characteristics of Sample J2.

A voltage (hereinafter also referred to as gate voltage (Vg)) applied to the conductive film 204 that functions as the first gate electrode of the transistor 270B was changed from -15 V to +20 V in increments of 0.25 V. A voltage (Vbg) applied to the conductive film 220 b that functions as the second gate electrode of the transistor 270B was changed from -15 V to +20 V in increments of 0.25 V. A voltage applied to the conductive film 212 a that functions as a source electrode (the voltage is also referred to as source voltage (Vs)) was 0 V (comm), and a voltage applied to the conductive film 212 b that functions as a drain electrode (the voltage is also referred to as drain voltage (Vd)) was 0.1 V or 20 V.

From the results in FIGS. 55A and 55B, it was confirmed that favorable electrical characteristics were obtained at the substrate temperature in depositing the oxide semiconductor film 208 of both 170° C. and 130° C.

4-4. GBT Tests

Next, reliability tests were performed on Sample J1 and Sample J2. To evaluate the reliability, a bias-stress test (hereinafter referred to as a GBT test) was performed.

The GBT tests in this example were performed under the conditions where the gate voltage (Vg) was ±30 V, the drain voltage (Vd) and the source voltage (Vs) were 0 V (comm), the stress temperature was 60° C., the time for stress application was 1 hour, and two kinds of measurement environments, a dark environment and a photo environment (irradiation with light having approximately 10000 1x with a white LED), were employed. In other words, the source electrode and the drain electrode of the transistor were set at the same potential, and a potential different from that of the source and drain electrodes was applied to the gate electrode for a certain time (1 hour, here).

A case where the potential applied to the gate electrode is higher than that of the source and drain electrodes is called positive stress, and a case where the potential applied to the gate electrode is lower than that of the source and drain electrodes is called negative stress. Thus, the reliability evaluation was performed under four conditions in total, i.e., positive GBT stress (Dark), negative GBT stress (Dark), positive GBT stress (Light irradiation), and negative GBT stress (Light irradiation). Note that positive GBT stress (Dark) can be referred to as positive bias temperature stress (PBTS), negative GBT stress (Dark) as negative bias temperature stress (NBTS), positive GBT stress (Light irradiation) as positive bias illuminations temperature stress (PBITS), and negative GBT stress (Light irradiation) as negative bias illuminations temperature stress (NBITS).

FIG. 56 shows the GBT test results of Sample J1 and Sample J2. The vertical axis in FIG. 56 indicates the amount of change in threshold voltage (ΔVth) of the transistor and the amount of change in shift value (ΔShift). The horizontal axis in FIG. 56 indicates the name of samples, process conditions, and the like. Note that the shift value means, in the drain current (Id)-gate voltage (Vg) characteristics of the transistor, the gate voltage (Vg) at a point of intersection of an axis of 1 × 10⁻¹² A and a tangent line of the logarithm of a drain current (Id) having the highest gradient. ΔShift means the amount of change in Shift value.

From the results in FIG. 56 , the amount of change in threshold voltage (ΔVth) and the amount of change in shift value (ΔShift) were within ±2 V in GBT tests for Samples J1 and J2. Thus, it was confirmed that a transistor including the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention had high reliability.

The structure described in this example can be combined with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples as appropriate.

Example 5

In this example, a transistor corresponding to the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D was fabricated, and Id-Vg characteristics of the transistor and cross sections of the transistor were evaluated.

Samples K1 to K3 described below were used for evaluation in this example. The transistor of Sample K1 had a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm, the transistor of Sample K2 had a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 50 µm, and the transistor of Sample K3 had a channel length L of 6 µm and a channel width W of 50 µm. Note that Samples K1 to K3 with different transistor sizes were fabricated through the same steps.

The samples fabricated in this example will be described below. Note that the reference numerals used for the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D are used in the following description.

5-1. Method for Fabricating Samples K1 to K3

First, the conductive film 204 was formed over the substrate 202. A glass substrate was used as the substrate 202. As the conductive film 204, a 100-nm-thick tungsten film was formed with a sputtering apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 206 and 207 were formed over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204. As the insulating film 206, a 400-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 207, a 50-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 206 was deposited as follows. First, a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film (hereinafter referred to as an insulating film 206_1) was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 200 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was set to 100 Pa, and an RF power of 2000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes placed in a PECVD apparatus. Then, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 2000 sccm to deposit a 300-nm-thick silicon nitride film (hereinafter referred to as an insulating film 206_2). Finally, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 100 sccm to deposit a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film (hereinafter referred to as an insulating film 206_3).

The insulating film 207 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 20 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 3000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 40 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in a PECVD apparatus.

Next, the oxide semiconductor film 208 was formed over the insulating film 207. As the oxide semiconductor film 208, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c were successively formed in a vacuum with a sputtering apparatus. Note that in the following description, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b is referred to as IGZO-1, and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c is referred to as IGZO-2.

A 10-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-1. IGZO-1 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 35 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 15 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 1500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1).

A 20-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-2. IGZO-2 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 25 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 25 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2).

Next, the conductive films 212 a and 212 b were formed over the insulating film 207 and the oxide semiconductor film 208.

The conductive films 212 a and 212 b have stacked-layer structure of a 50-nm-thick tungsten film (hereinafter referred to as the conductive film 212 a_1 and the conductive film 212 b_1), a 30-nm-thick tantalum nitride film (hereinafter referred to as the conductive film 212 a_2 and the conductive film 212 b_2), a 200-nm-thick copper film (hereinafter referred to as the conductive film 212 a_3 and the conductive film 212 b_3), a 30-nm-thick tantalum nitride film (hereinafter referred to as the conductive film 212 a_4 and the conductive film 212 b_4), and a 50-nm-thick titanium film (hereinafter referred to as the conductive film 212 a_5 and the conductive film 212 b_5).

The conductive films 212 a and 212 b were formed as follows. First, a 50-nm-thick tungsten film, a 30-nm-thick tantalum nitride film, and a 200-nm-thick copper film were formed with a sputtering apparatus. After that, a resist was applied over the copper film, a desired region of the copper film was removed with a wet etching apparatus, and the resist was removed. Then, a 30-nm-thick tantalum nitride film and a 50-nm-thick titanium film were formed with a sputtering apparatus over the tantalum nitride film and the copper film. Then, a resist was applied over the titanium film, and a desired region of the titanium film, a desired region of the tantalum nitride film, and a desired region of the tungsten film were removed with a dry etching apparatus.

Next, a surface of the oxide semiconductor film 208 (on the back-channel side) was cleaned. As the cleaning method, a phosphoric acid solution obtained by diluting phosphoric acid (concentration of 85 vol%) 100 times with water was applied to the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b for 15 seconds with a spin cleaning apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed over the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor film 208, and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b. As the insulating film 214, a 30-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 216, a 400-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. Note that the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed successively in a vacuum with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 214 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 20 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 216 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 160 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 4000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 200 Pa, and an RF power of 1500 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Then, first heat treatment was performed. The first heat treatment was performed at 350° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Next, a 6-nm-thick ITSO film was formed over the insulating film 216 with a sputtering apparatus. The ITSO film was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was room temperature, an argon gas at a flow rate of 72 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 5 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.15 Pa, and a DC power of 1000 W was supplied to a metal oxide target (In₂O₃:SnO₂:SiO₂ = 85:10:5 [wt.%]) provided in a sputtering apparatus.

Next, oxygen addition treatment was performed on the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the insulating films 214 and 216 through the ITSO film. The oxygen addition treatment was performed with an ashing apparatus under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 100° C., an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 300 sccm was introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 25.06 Pa, and an RF power of 4750 W was supplied for 60 seconds between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the ashing apparatus so that a bias would be applied to the substrate side.

Then, the ITSO film was removed to expose the insulating film 216. The ITSO film was removed using a wet-etching apparatus in such a manner that etching was performed using a 5% oxalic acid solution for 300 seconds and then etching was performed using a 0.5% hydrofluoric acid for 15 seconds.

Next, the insulating film 218 was formed over the insulating film 216. As the insulating film 218, a 100-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 218 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 5000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 100 Pa, and a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power of 1000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Next, the opening 252 c reaching the conductive film 212 b and the openings 252 a and 252 b reaching the conductive film 204 were formed. The openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c were formed with a dry etching apparatus.

Next, a conductive film was formed over the insulating film 218 to cover the openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c and processed to form the conductive films 220 a and 220 b. As the conductive films 220 a and 220 b, a 100-nm-thick ITSO film was formed with a sputtering apparatus. The composition of a target used for forming the ITSO film was the same as that used for forming the ITSO film described above.

Then, second heat treatment was performed. The second heat treatment was performed at 250° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Through the above process, Samples K1 to K3 of this example were fabricated. Note that the highest temperature through the process for fabricating Samples K1 to K3 was 350° C.

5-2. Results of Id-Vg Characteristics

Next, Id-Vg characteristics of Samples K1 to K3 were measured. FIGS. 57A to 57C show the Id-Vg characteristics of Samples K1 to K3. FIG. 57A shows Id-Vg characteristics of Sample K1, FIG. 57B shows Id-Vg characteristics of Sample K2, and FIG. 57C shows Id-Vg characteristics of Sample K3. In FIGS. 57A to 57C, the first vertical axis indicates Id (A), the second vertical axis indicates µFE (cm²/Vs), and the horizontal axis indicates Vg (V).

A voltage (hereinafter also referred to as gate voltage (Vg)) applied to the conductive film 204 that functions as the first gate electrode of the transistor 270B was changed from -15 V to +20 V in increments of 0.25 V. A voltage (Vbg) applied to the conductive film 220b that functions as the second gate electrode of the transistor 270B was changed from -15 V to +20 V in increments of 0.25 V. A voltage applied to the conductive film 212a that functions as a source electrode (the voltage is also referred to as source voltage (Vs)) was 0 V (comm), and a voltage applied to the conductive film 212 b that functions as a drain electrode (the voltage is also referred to as drain voltage (Vd)) was 0.1 V or 20 V.

From the results in FIGS. 57A to 57C, it was confirmed that Samples K1 to K3 fabricated in this example had favorable electrical characteristics. In particular, Samples K1 to K3 fabricated in this example are normally-off transistors having high mobility of approximately 30 cm²/Vs.

5-3. Cross-Sectional Observation of Sample K2

Next, the cross section of Sample K2 was observed. Note that a transmission electron microscope (TEM) was used for the cross-sectional observation.

FIGS. 58A and 58B are cross-sectional TEM images of Sample K2. FIG. 58A is a cross-sectional TEM image of the entire transistor 270B that was observed at a magnification of 20,000 times, and FIG. 58B is a cross-sectional TEM image of the vicinity of the conductive film 212 a that was observed at a magnification of 50,000 times. As shown in FIGS. 58A and 58B, Sample K2 fabricated in this example was confirmed to have a favorable cross-sectional shape. In particular, a copper film formed as the conductive film 212 a_3 is surrounded by the conductive film 212 a_1, the conductive film 212 a_2, the conductive film 212 a_4, and the conductive film 212 a_5.

The structure described in this example can be combined with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples as appropriate.

Example 6

In this example, a transistor corresponding to the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D was fabricated, and Id-Vg characteristics, gate BT stress test results, and Id-Vd characteristics of the transistor were evaluated.

Sample L1 described below was used for evaluation in this example. In Sample L1, transistors with a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm and transistors with a channel length L of 6 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm were provided.

The samples fabricated in this example will be described below. Note that the reference numerals used for the transistor 270B in FIGS. 18C and 18D are used in the following description.

6-1. Method for Fabricating Sample L1

First, the conductive film 204 was formed over the substrate 202. A glass substrate was used as the substrate 202. As the conductive film 204, a 100-nm-thick tungsten film was formed with a sputtering apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 206 and 207 were formed over the substrate 202 and the conductive film 204. As the insulating film 206, a 400-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 207, a 15-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 206 was deposited as follows. First, a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 200 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was set to 100 Pa, and an RF power of 2000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes placed in a PECVD apparatus. Then, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 2000 sccm to deposit a 300-nm-thick silicon nitride film. Finally, the flow rate of an ammonia gas was changed to 100 sccm to deposit a 50-nm-thick silicon nitride film.

The insulating film 207 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 20 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 3000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 40 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in a PECVD apparatus.

Next, the oxide semiconductor film 208 was formed over the insulating film 207. As the oxide semiconductor film 208, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c were successively formed in a vacuum with a sputtering apparatus. Note that in the following description, the first oxide semiconductor film 208 b is referred to as IGZO-1, and the second oxide semiconductor film 208 c is referred to as IGZO-2.

A 10-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-1. IGZO-1 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 35 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 15 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 1500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 4:2:4.1).

A 20-nm-thick IGZO film was formed as IGZO-2. IGZO-2 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 170° C., an argon gas at a flow rate of 25 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 25 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.2 Pa, and an AC power of 500 W was applied to a polycrystalline metal oxide sputtering target (having an atomic ratio of In:Ga:Zn = 1:1:1.2).

Next, first heat treatment was performed. As the first heat treatment, heat treatment was performed at 350° C. for 1 hour in a nitrogen gas atmosphere and then heat treatment was performed at 350° C. for 1 hour in a mixed atmosphere of a nitrogen gas and an oxygen gas.

Next, the conductive films 212 a and 212 b were formed over the insulating film 207 and the oxide semiconductor film 208.

The conductive films 212 a and 212 b had a stacked-layer structure of a 30-nm-thick titanium film, a 200-nm-thick copper film, and a 50-nm-thick titanium film.

The conductive films 212 a and 212 b were formed as follows. First, a 30-nm-thick titanium film and a 200-nm-thick copper film were formed with a sputtering apparatus. After that, a resist was applied over the copper film, a desired region of the copper film was removed with a wet etching apparatus, and the resist was removed. Then, a 50-nm-thick titanium film was formed with a sputtering apparatus over the titanium film and the copper film. Then, a resist was applied over the titanium film, and a desired region of the titanium film was removed with a dry etching apparatus.

Next, a surface of the oxide semiconductor film 208 (on the back-channel side) was cleaned. As the cleaning method, a phosphoric acid solution obtained by diluting phosphoric acid (concentration of 85 vol%) 100 times with water was applied to the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b for 15 seconds with a spin cleaning apparatus.

Next, the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed over the insulating film 207, the oxide semiconductor film 208, and the conductive films 212 a and 212 b. As the insulating film 214, a 30-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. As the insulating film 216, a 400-nm-thick silicon oxynitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. Note that the insulating films 214 and 216 were formed successively in a vacuum with a PECVD apparatus.

The insulating film 214 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 2000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 20 Pa, and an RF power of 100 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 216 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 220° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 160 sccm and a dinitrogen monoxide gas at a flow rate of 4000 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 200 Pa, and an RF power of 1500 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Then, second heat treatment was performed. The second heat treatment was performed at 350° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Next, a 6-nm-thick ITSO film was formed over the insulating film 216 with a sputtering apparatus. The ITSO film was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was room temperature, an argon gas at a flow rate of 72 sccm and an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 5 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 0.15 Pa, and a DC power of 1000 W was supplied to a metal oxide target (In₂O₃:SnO₂:SiO₂ = 85:10:5 [wt.%]) provided in a sputtering apparatus.

Next, oxygen addition treatment was performed on the oxide semiconductor film 208 and the insulating films 214 and 216 through the ITSO film. The oxygen addition treatment was performed with an ashing apparatus under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 100° C., an oxygen gas at a flow rate of 300 sccm was introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 25.06 Pa, and an RF power of 4750 W was supplied for 60 seconds between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the ashing apparatus so that a bias would be applied to the substrate side.

Then, the ITSO film was removed to expose the insulating film 216. The ITSO film was removed using a wet-etching apparatus in such a manner that etching was performed using a 5% oxalic acid solution for 300 seconds and then etching was performed using a 0.5% hydrofluoric acid for 15 seconds.

Next, the insulating film 218 was formed over the insulating film 216. As the insulating film 218, a 100-nm-thick silicon nitride film was formed with a PECVD apparatus. The insulating film 218 was deposited under the conditions where the substrate temperature was 350° C., a silane gas at a flow rate of 50 sccm, a nitrogen gas at a flow rate of 5000 sccm, and an ammonia gas at a flow rate of 100 sccm were introduced into a chamber, the pressure was 100 Pa, and a 27.12 MHz high-frequency power of 1000 W was supplied between parallel-plate electrodes provided in the PECVD apparatus.

Next, the opening 252 c reaching the conductive film 212 b and the openings 252 a and 252 b reaching the conductive film 204 were formed. The openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c were formed with a dry etching apparatus.

Next, a conductive film was formed over the insulating film 218 to cover the openings 252 a, 252 b, and 252 c and processed to form the conductive films 220 a and 220 b. As the conductive films 220 a and 220 b, a 100-nm-thick ITSO film was formed with a sputtering apparatus. The composition of a target used for forming the ITSO film was the same as that used for forming the ITSO film described above.

Then, third heat treatment was performed. The third heat treatment was performed at 250° C. in a nitrogen gas atmosphere for 1 hour.

Through the above process, Sample L1 of this example were fabricated. Note that the highest temperature through the process for fabricating Sample L1 was 350° C.

6-2. Results of Id-Vg Characteristics

Next, Id-Vg characteristics of Sample L1 were measured. FIG. 59 shows the Id-Vg characteristics of Sample L1, specifically, a transistor with a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm in Sample L1. In FIG. 59 , the first vertical axis indicates Id (A), the second vertical axis indicates µFE (cm²/Vs), and the horizontal axis indicates Vg (V).

The measurement conditions of Id-Vg characteristics were the same as those in Example 5.

From the results in FIG. 59 , it was confirmed that Sample L1 fabricated in this example had favorable electrical characteristics. In particular, Sample L1 fabricated in this example is a normally-off transistor having high mobility of approximately 30 cm²/Vs.

6-3. GBT Test Results

Next, a GBT test was performed on Sample L1 fabricated in the above manner. The conditions of the GBT test were the same as those in Example 4. FIG. 60 shows the GBT test results of Sample L1. Specifically, a transistor with a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm in Sample L1 was measured.

From the results in FIG. 60 , the amount of change in threshold voltage (ΔVth) due to the GBT test was within ±1 V in Sample L1. Thus, it was confirmed that a transistor including the oxide semiconductor film of one embodiment of the present invention had high reliability.

6-4. Results of Id-Vd Characteristics

Next, Id-Vd characteristics of Sample L1 were evaluated. FIGS. 61A and 61B show Id-Vd characteristics of Sample L1. Note that FIG. 61A shows measurement results of a transistor with a channel length L of 3 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm included in Sample L1, and FIG. 61B shows measurement results of a transistor with a channel length L of 6 µm and a channel width W of 5 µm included in Sample L1.

Furthermore, as the measurement conditions of the Id-Vd characteristics of the transistor with L/W = ⅗ µm in Sample L1, the source potential was set to a ground potential (GND), the drain potential was set to 10 V, and the gate potential was set to 3.16 V. Furthermore, as the measurement conditions of the Id-Vd characteristics of the transistor with L/W = 6/5 µm in Sample L1, the source potential was set to a ground potential (GND), the drain voltage was set to 10 V, and the gate potential was set to 4.62 V.

FIGS. 61A and 61B show high drain current saturation characteristics of Sample L1 fabricated in this example. A transistor with increased drain current saturation characteristics can be preferably used as a driver FET for an organic EL display device.

The structure described in this example can be combined with any of the structures described in the embodiments and the other examples as appropriate.

Explanation of Reference

11: Area, 12: Area, 21: perpendicular line, 22: perpendicular line, 23: perpendicular line, 200: transistor, 202: substrate, 204: conductive film, 206: insulating film, 206_1: insulating film, 206_2: insulating film, 206_3: insulating film, 207: insulating film, 208: oxide semiconductor film, 208 a: oxide semiconductor film, 208 b: oxide semiconductor film, 208 c: oxide semiconductor film, 212: conductive film, 212 a: conductive film, 212 a_1: conductive film, 212 a_2: conductive film, 212 a_3: conductive film, 212 a_4: conductive film, 212 a_5: conductive film, 212 b: conductive film, 212 b_1: conductive film, 212 b_2: conductive film, 212 b_3: conductive film, 212 b_4: conductive film, 212 b_5: conductive film, 214: insulating film, 216: insulating film, 218: insulating film, 220 a: conductive film, 220 b: conductive film, 230: opening, 240: oxygen, 250: transistor, 251 a: opening, 251 b: opening, 252 a: opening, 252 b: opening, 252 c: opening, 260: transistor, 270: transistor, 270A: transistor, 270B: transistor, 300: target, 300 a: target, 300 b: target, 301: deposition chamber, 303 b: magnet unit, 310: backing plate, 310 a: backing plate, 310 b: backing plate, 320: target holder, 320 a: target holder, 320 b: target holder, 322: target shield, 322 a: target shield, 322 b: target shield, 323: target shield, 330: magnet unit, 330 a: magnet unit, 330 b: magnet unit, 330N: magnet, 330N1: magnet, 330N2: magnet, 330S: magnet, 332: magnet holder, 340: plasma, 342: member, 360: substrate, 370: substrate holder, 380 a: magnetic line of force, 380 b: magnetic line of force, 390: power source, 391: power source, 501: pixel circuit, 502: pixel portion, 504: driver circuit portion, 504 a: gate driver, 504 b: source driver, 506: protection circuit, 507: terminal portion, 550: transistor, 552: transistor, 554: transistor, 560: capacitor, 562: capacitor, 570: liquid crystal element, 572: light-emitting element, 2000: touch panel, 2001: touch panel, 2501: display device, 2502 t: transistor, 2503 c: capacitor, 2503 t: transistor, 2504: scan line driver circuit, 2505: pixel, 2509: FPC, 2510: substrate, 2510 a: insulating layer, 2510 b: flexible substrate, 2510 c: adhesive layer, 2511: wiring, 2519: terminal, 2521: insulating layer, 2522: insulating layer, 2528: partition, 2529: liquid crystal layer, 2530 a: spacer, 2530 b: spacer, 2531: insulating layer, 2550: EL element, 2551: liquid crystal element, 2560: sealing layer, 2567: coloring layer, 2568: light-blocking layer, 2569: anti-reflective layer, 2570: substrate, 2570 a: insulating layer, 2570 b: flexible substrate, 2570 c: adhesive layer, 2580: light-emitting module, 2590: substrate, 2591: electrode, 2592: electrode, 2593: insulating layer, 2594: wiring, 2595: touch sensor, 2597: adhesive layer, 2598: wiring, 2599: connection layer, 2601: pulse voltage output circuit, 2602: current sensing circuit, 2603: capacitor, 2611: transistor, 2612: transistor, 2613: transistor, 2621: electrode, 2622: electrode, 2700: deposition apparatus, 2701: atmosphere-side substrate supply chamber, 2702: atmosphere-side substrate transfer chamber, 2703 a: load lock chamber, 2703 b: unload lock chamber, 2704: transfer chamber, 2705: substrate heating chamber, 2706 a: deposition chamber, 2706 b: deposition chamber, 2706 c: deposition chamber, 2751: cryotrap, 2752: stage, 2761: cassette port, 2762: alignment port, 2763: transfer robot, 2764: gate valve, 2765: heating stage, 2766: target, 2766 a: target, 2766 b: target, 2767 a: target shield, 2767 b: target shield, 2768: substrate holder, 2769: substrate, 2770: vacuum pump, 2771: cryopump, 2772: turbo molecular pump, 2780: mass flow controller, 2781: refiner, 2782: gas heating system, 2784: movable member, 2790 a: magnet unit, 2790 b: magnet unit, 2791: power source, 3000: deposition apparatus, 3010: process member, 3180: deposition chamber, 3181 a: source material supply portion, 3181 b: source material supply portion, 3182: control portion, 3182 a: flow rate controller, 3182 b: flow rate controller, 3182 c: flow rate controller, 3182 h: heating mechanism, 3183: inlet port, 3184: outlet port, 3185: evacuation unit, 3186: support portion, 3187: heating mechanism, 3188: door, 5100: pellet, 5120: substrate, 5161: region, 5200: pellet, 5201: ion, 5202: lateral growth portion, 5203: particle, 5220: substrate, 5230: target, 5240: plasma, 5260: heating mechanism, 8000: display module, 8001: upper cover, 8002: lower cover, 8003: FPC, 8004: touch panel, 8005: FPC, 8006: display panel, 8007: backlight, 8008: light source, 8009: frame, 8010: printed board, 8011: battery, 9000: housing, 9001: display portion, 9003: speaker, 9005: operation key, 9006: connection terminal, 9007: sensor, 9008: microphone, 9050: operation button, 9051: information, 9052: information, 9053: information, 9054: information, 9055: hinge, 9100: portable information terminal, 9101: portable information terminal, 9102: portable information terminal, 9200: portable information terminal, 9201: portable information terminal, 9500: display device, 9501: display panel, 9502: display region, 9503: region, 9511: hinge, and 9512: bearing.

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2015-024995 filed with Japan Patent Office on Feb. 12, 2015, Japanese Patent Application Serial No. 2015-187620 filed with Japan Patent Office on Sep. 25, 2015, and Japanese Patent Application Serial no. 2015-215540 filed with Japan Patent Office on Nov. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

1. A sputtering target comprising: a metal oxide having a composition in a neighborhood of In:M:Zn = 4:2:4.1, wherein the M is Al, Ga, Y, or Sn, and wherein in the case where a proportion of the In of the metal oxide is 4, a proportion of the M is greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 2.5, and a proportion of the Zn is greater than or equal to 3.1 and less than or equal to 5.1.
 2. The sputtering target according to claim 1, wherein the metal oxide is polycrystalline. 